Schools insistence on uniform rules are behind the times

We are playing that game are we? Snack money? What's that? We had free school meals and that it was it from the time we left for school until we had our dinner (no pudding) in the evening. The tops of our shoes shone but the bottoms had holes. We didn't have 'school bags' we used a carrier bag, lots of people did. If the handle went you tied it up. Our school clothes were in much better condition than our normal clothes. We were clean and tidy even thought we didn't have a pot to piss in. The bottom line is nobody knew how poor we were, it made a difference to level of grief we got.

Twenty years ago, I worked for a bank and they wanted us to wear their uniform trousers which I couldn't wear as whatever was in them flared up areas of eczema on my legs.

I got told off many times by the BM. I said who is going to look at my trousers when I am sitting at a cashier point?

I wasn't in that position myself, although we weren't rich, but I fully understand it. Some people seem to be rather lacking in understanding, not to mention empathy.

I like school uniforms, as long as they are comfortable and practical. For much of my working life (office) I also wore a uniform and I much preferred that to having to buy clothes just to wear to work and decide what to actually wear each morning.

This is just such a myth, like the kids don't know who's poor

Yes, they can tell who is poor, but at least they are all wearing the same clothes. Having one or two sets of clothes to wear amongst kids who are continually wearing new clothes and the best labels is a very different thing.

I agree either way lots of you. Basic uniform, fine. Endless boneheaded crackdowns of arbitrary, unjustifiable uniform rules, not fine at all.

No uniform is a bully’s dream

So presumably all the schools in countries with no uniform have way more bullying than the UK then? I doubt there's any correlation tbh. If kids want to bully someone for not fitting in, or for not looking cool etc, they will do it whether there is uniform or not. Everyone knows who the rich and poor kids are, and the fashionable and unfashionable ones - nobody is fooled by uniform.

Uniform literally means - remaining the same in all cases and at all times; unchanging in form or character.

It’s a means of control for the masses

I get the arguments for it as a leveller but having to buy blazers, school bags etc from one specific shop is NOT a leveller. It’s the opposite.

Uniform should be scrapped and children should be asked to wear plain bottoms and a plain top in black, white or grey. That truly would be a leveller as you can buy from a supermarket

Absolutely true

I don't mind school uniforms in general. But I think some go too far. When we were looking round primary schools for DD1 we didn't like the one that had ties in reception. Or where the uniform policy stated different coloured hair ties for regular uniform (green or grey, the school colours) and PE kit (black hair ties only). There cannot be a rational justification for that at all. It's pointless and controlling nitpicking at that stage.

I also don't like any restrictions on taking off blazers when it's hot.

@HelpMeHelpMyBro it's not a myth, I had no clothes would have been so embarrassed having to wear the same outfit every day. I would have had an awful time at school without uniform.

No uniform is a bully’s dream

It doesn't have to be that way.

In my area all the state high schools have the same basic uniform - white shirt, black skirt or trousers, black shoes, black blazer with badge and braid. School tie.

It's normal for pupils to be given a school tie when they start secondary/high school. Nowadays, the schools organise their own supplier for the blazer. Blazers are normally only required for seniors. If a child can't afford one, the school usually steps in to help.

Absolutely agree. A basic uniform should be black or grey bottoms and a white top. I can’t bear all the ‘natural colour hair only’ shit as it implies that those with unnatural colours are unable to function, learn and co-operate in society. Ditto all the other stupid rules

No, they're not interesting in claiming them and frankly nor do I have time for children to all come up and sniff! I end up labelling the clothes myself if ever I manage to return anything.

I prefer school uniforms as otherwise clothes can be used as another thing for kids to get left out or bullied about.

However I don't see the need for the ridiculous strictness about it and children should be able to have their hair or piercings etc as they wish (as long as the latter are safe for PE). Teenage years are a good time for experimentation with such things and I see no need for schools to dictate this stuff.

It all starts innocent enough - cheap polyester ill fitting clothing, great levelling. Then they put badges on the shirts and blazers, insist on particular shoes with laces because the velcro looks like a trainer, the PE uniform needs to be branded. The coat needs to be a (h&s nightmare in the winter) a dark colour. The skirt needs to be a certain length, the hair need to be cut a certain way - the list goes on. I know it's not an unusual comment but Instead of focusing on this shit - how about schools focus on teaching the kids. Schools have lost the plot.

I prefer uniforms. One of my DDs went to a no uniform school from 14 and it was a nightmare, all the brands

I agree.

I was bullied at primary school because of my clothes. School uniform at secondary put a stop to that.

Far from being a great leveler, school uniforms are ableist. They do not allow students to adapt to sensory needs.

yes, with sufficient documentation exceptions will be made. However, the pathway to diagnosis is long, often years. In the meantime children are distracted from learning by uncomfortable clothing.

I think uniforms are ok, but I think schools take the rules too far. They are far too picky about it, and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter. They seem more focussed on exact uniform and overlook the more important issues like bullying etc.
I also think alongside uniform teenagers should be able to express themselves with hair colour etc. There should be room for fun alongside the formality.

Fettes college?

A uniform means you don’t have to waste time or brain cells on what to wear.
It’s also nonsense that in the adult world don’t wear uniforms. I wear a uniform- the only difference is I chose it myself. But daily at work I wear a variation on the same theme.

Personally - I think it’s good to learn about how we need to dress/speak differently in formal settings to at home.

What I don’t like is when a uniform rule is excessive for no reason eg can’t remove a blazer unless a teacher tells you even if it’s really hot.

No, but I lived my life and uniform notwithstanding everyone knew I was poor. I had crap shoes off the market, a cheap bag, bad teeth, the wrong break time snacks, the wrong pencil case FFS. I also had second hand uniform with someone else's name tags in and it was all faded and worn and the blazer was all shiny in places. Trust me, it wasn't much of a leveller.

I don't like uniform. It's outdated, uncomfortable and weird.

The claim it is a leveller is a made up justification - uniform is very expensive and requires extra spending, it's a burden.

I don’t know, the last few office jobs I had were also strict on dress codes. Admittedly some years ago, one was a formal suit (funeral directors), others had to be ‘business dress’ (public transport providers) worked for various companies on/off from 2006-2017 and never allowed jeans/trainers/leggings/shorts. I even got some raised eyebrows at my Birkenstocks when I dared to wear them one day! I had a nice pedicure so no manky feet!

Jobs I’ve had since then usually have required a uniform as I’ve been customer facing. We were allowed shorts as long as they weren’t denim or barely covered your bum when we had the 30-odd degree days the last couple of years.