School uniform in sixth form

@Placido

I judge schools based on academic results and the proportion of pupils who go on to study good degrees (medicine, dentistry, etc) or good universities (red brick, etc).

And you can most definitely judge a school/cohort's behaviour on appearance. As someone who lives near several schools, the children/school who are well dressed usually behave more orderly.

State school sixth form I went to it was smart business wear.

However state school sixth forms here it's main school uniform into sixth form.

I thought it very odd but there's a scheme were they bus between different schools to wider range of A-levels offered. Apparently they do see children in other uniforms looking lost occasionally - usually because room/teachers aren't where they're supposed to be - so I suppose it helps identify them.

Some of DDs friends went on the scheme they aren't allowed on the other schools buses - so all the schools run their own bus shuttles between campuses but if your school bus doesn't turn up you can't hop a ride on other schools bus. So supposed it helps identify them there as well.

DD1 went to college clothes weren't a huge draw more everything being on same site and much better results - even so I think she relived not to have to deal with the increasing pettiness of uniform rules at her old school.

Even the schools no longer part of the scheme seem to have kept the unform into sixth form. I still find it odd but but perhaps it's creeping in.

A lot of good school sixth forms now require a proper grown-up suit or equivalent. It was a pain to find one that fit a small 16 year old along with the shirt/shoes etc (you feel like you have mastered secondary school uniform sizes then you have to start again at year 12). But it is better really - smart work wear is often easier to wash and quicker to dry than heavy sweatshirts and jeans etc, another 2 year reprieve from some of the cool girl/boy pressure, no thinking about what to wear in the morning 5 days a week. Obviously these benefits might apply more to a child who doesn't have a strong need to dress individually.
For what it's worth, the girls seem to wear what they like anyway and no-one wants to be telling 16-18 year old girls what to wear, so they don't.

It's completely nuts ! Our very competitive church comp insists on smart business wear . (Why ? They aren't in an office !) The local girls grammar gives not one stuff and the kids wear everything from business suits to trackies/leggings.

Result ? Most girls stay on at the grammar whilst high proportion of comp want to leave for more laid back but vastly less academic college. Some just transfer to the grammar.

It's all madness. The kids in 6th form are almost all going to Uni where clothing isn't proscribed.

My child's uniform in 6th form was business dress. There is no way I'd be choosing a sixth form for my child based on being able to wear what you want.

A college is an option if more freedom is wanted.

It's not though. Our local college doesn't offer the same qualifications unfortunately, and we can't afford to board out to a different area.

This is a nightmare at DD's school. They used to say office wear, but then lots of students wore relaxed office wear as that's what their office working parents wore. So now it's dress as if you are going to an interview . Constant black marks if your shirt has come untucked, or a v-neck jumper is worn instead of a jacket. Shoes must not even remotely resemble trainers or boots. Skirts are supposed to be knee length. It's also the curvier girls that are targeted for criticism, because of the way their clothes fit. We've had to replace so much and can't really afford it. Quite frankly a proper uniform would be easier. This is a (not very good) state school. The local college only has the most basic rules, yet the kids seem to manage to dress sensibly.

My DD's 6th form (state school) is smart business wear - so suits. Boys have to wear a tie. They've always had a strict uniform policy in school though and they don't relax this just for 6th form. A college is an option if more freedom is wanted.

However the most telling comment on this thread is the one along the lines of the better the school the stricter the dress code. I suspect that is exactly why some schools ask their sixth formers to wear suits et al.

Yes always easier to teach some people already motivated to conform.

Here all the 6th form in state schools don't have uniforms. Not sure about the local independent schools. There is a 6th form college but nearly all are schools.

@JennyDune that is complete garbage. What do you judge a school on BTW. Results? Preparing pupils for the real world? Mental health outcomes?

Dark navy skirt suit at dds indie. In reality this means a dark navy skirt with any old hoodie or blosue. I don't think dd2 wore the jacket part ever.

Game not fame - excuse fat fingers! Also unintended suit pun!

Seems very old fashioned to me. I was at millfield and we were allowed relaxed clothes throughout. I think as the world of work becomes less formally attired schools should be following suit. I work much more proactively if I am in relaxed clothing than dolled up in formal wear, although I like to up my fame for presentations in the ‘putting on your war amour’ mindset.

Uniform codes here seem to be getting stricter rather than more relaxed. The school's argument is that they are preparing them for the world of work. On that basis dd should be going to school in scrubs. Some require matching suits for boys and girls which considering many work places are relaxing the requirements seems a little excessive. I personally think that requesting that they have one smart outfit available for open evenings/ speech days etc would be reasonable but then some flexibility on a smart casual dress code on normal school days.

Considering most businesses now don't care if people wear suits / ties, it seems absolutely ridiculous that schools ask sixth formers too.

However the most telling comment on this thread is the one along the lines of the better the school the stricter the dress code. I suspect that is exactly why some schools ask their sixth formers to wear suits et al.

My eldest DD went to the local college so she wore whatever she wanted.

My younger DD goes to an Independent girls school and she has to wear the same uniform only with a different colour jumper, navy blue instead of Burgundy. They have other privileges, like 6th form common room with their own lockers and a kettle and toaster. They can use the gym/swimming pool any time they like and wear whatever make-up or jewelry they choose, bar the full Goth look. Of course hoiking your skirt up as high as possible is mandatory.

6th form at my daughter's school increases the school uniform requirement. All the way up to year 11 it's just school polo shirts and normal jumpers and anything goes for shoes as long as they're plain black.

In 6th form it's real shirts, ties, blazers, woollen v neck jumpers and strictly smart shoes. If you don't adhere, you're invited to find somewhere else to complete your A levels.

By comparison, my school didn't have a 6th form so we all went to the local college for A levels etc. Leaving school was a step towards more independent thinking and individual responsibility and college with the relaxed just be decent dress code fit into that.

I think the overly strict 6th form is a bonkers idea.

IME actual uniform in sixth form is unusual. I am talking about state schools tho, not sure if you are considering that OP?

Local schools I know:
DCs' school - uniform KS3 and 4, business dress for sixth form (not super strict tbf esp re girls)
Lovely comp up the road - uniform KS3 and 4, vv strict business dress sixth form, must be a matching suit in grey or black.
Other local comps - mostly like DCs'.
Comp in nearby village - no uniform through entire school.
Comp where I used to teach - uniform in KS3 and 4 and wear what you like in sixth form.

Sixth form colleges - anything goes pretty much.

I assume btw that those without uniform or dress code do have limits - racist or offensive slogans would be banned and I imagine a bikini would raise an eyebrow.

@LizzieBet14 makes life easier for DS so he doesn't have to think about what to wear, has got it down to a fine art of getting up as late as possible but still get to the bus stop on time!

I went to a state selective in the late 90s, uniform all the way. Different tie and a choice of two different skirt shapes and tights instead of socks.

I've never understood why some insist on 'business wear' for sixth form/A Levels for the students to then go to university and wear whatever they choose.....
For me, one of the best things about going to 6th form was being free from uniform 😀

At my DD’s indy, it’s jeans/leggings/whatever, but school logo t-shirts, hoodies etc.

At DS’s indy, it’s businesswear.

Most local state schools still wear uniform.

It’s not the end of the world, and I suppose it’s one way to combat the belt length skirts the sixth formers here insist on.

Business dress in DS's sixth form (private school)