Rigid school uniforms

[Waitrosedisaster]

I've just had the usual letter from my child's secondary school, where it outlines all the dos and don'ts surrounding school uniform for the next academic year.

Is anyone just absolutely sick of the outdated concept of strict uniforms? The nitty gritty details of 'only black or brown hair bobbles', 'no bows on socks', 'all clothes including p.e kit must have the school logo'. Why? Just why? My personal favourite this year is the following 'any piercing other than single lobe piercings will be removed immediately, regardless of when piercing was obtained'. Also, nail varnish and shellac will also be removed immediately? Wtf?

School uniforms (other than being used as a money making scheme) were originally used for purposes not to dissimilar from uniforms for prisons, or mental health units. They were used to strip away a person's individuality and make them more likely to conform and obey as they are effectively 'uniform'. It's such an outdated concept and I find it bizarre that schools are able to even dictate which (overpriced) shops the uniform must come from.

I hear arguments from teacher friends about how uniforms are better for low income families, but are they really? Unless the parents do not work, are they even able to claim money off uniforms?

Anyone else agree?

Trouble is you give them an inch and they take a mile with uniform

Trouble is you give them an inch and they take a mile with uniform

wouldn't be an issue without uniform

@StrangeToSee

Joggers with zip pockets could work too

Yes- for lounging around at home. Not for a school!

DC need to be in a working mindset which is very difficult in joggers and tracksuits.

DC need to be in a working mindset which is very difficult in joggers and tracksuits.

Total bollocks. Most people are better able to concentrate when comfortable.

You’ve really drunk the kool aid on this one, haven’t you?

@GreenLakes - you keep on referring to a work mindset but have been given examples of high achieving schools with no school uniform.

Many of the working population don’t wear a uniform but have no difficulties working at a high level ie my DH, doctor in work today in cargo shorts

When my DD's started secondary school, they wore black skirt or trousers, school polo shirt and school sweatshirt, shoes had to be black and practical (plain black trainers / Vans, etc were allowed).

When DD2 was in year 9 the Head Teacher changed and a new uniform policy was introduced, much stricter including blazers and ties. I really couldn't understand the reasons behind the change and felt it was a step backwards. The new uniform was much more expensive. Surely the more relaxed uniform is more practical and comfortable in a school environment. Who wants to paint a picture in art wearing a shirt, tie and sometimes a blazer, it just makes no sense to me.

I also disagree with pupils not being allowed piercings, dyed hair or nail varnish. This doesn't have any impact on their learning.

@Parker231

Both myself and DH are in professional roles and are expected to dress accordingly.

We’d both be marched straight to senior management if we turned up in shorts!

@GreenLakes - you are joking there, right?
My DD goes to school in her PE tracksuit twice a week as they have no changing space. There's no difference between her "normal uniform" days and her tracksuit days in her focus and concentration. Likewise, she was dressed in her PJs or tracksuit bottoms when learning remotely. She aced all tests.

In all fairness, the pandemics really brought forward the absurdity of rigid uniforms. Children didn't perform worse because they were in their PJs or leisurewear. I find a school uniform a dated concept, especially as they have to be crested and in particular colour, i.e. I can't just walk into a shop and get a blue skirt.
I also find the idea that girls can only wear a skirt completely asinine. Just why?

I agree with uniforms and can't get my head round why any parent thinks their princess should be allowed to go to school dressed like a hooker if they so wish.
You all knew that kids would be required to wear a uniform before you became pregnant with them so why the mock outrage?

DC need to be in a working mindset which is very difficult in joggers and tracksuits

Except Dd produces more work at home in joggers.

What a strange outdated 1950’s concept.

@chocolateorangeinhaler

I agree with uniforms and can't get my head round why any parent thinks their princess should be allowed to go to school dressed like a hooker if they so wish. You all knew that kids would be required to wear a uniform before you became pregnant with them so why the mock outrage?

😂😂😂

So now it's 'don't have children if you don't like school uniform'

Now I really have heard it all

The choice is ‘uniforms’ or ‘hooker’ now?

This place is absolutely mental sometimes

You all knew that kids would be required to wear a uniform before you became pregnant with them so why the mock outrage?

Not every school wears uniform. How could you possibly predict this?

Clothing for school years doesn’t need to be any different than Uni. Jeans, T-shirt and hoodie or shorts in the warmer weather are perfectly suitable.

I’m always baffled on these threads by the fact that students around the world are able to graduate high school having worn joggers throughout, yet British kids can only manage it if they’re wearing some kind of polyester jacket with pockets.

‘Joggers with zip pockets could work too’

Yes- for lounging around at home. Not for a school! DC need to be in a working mindset which is very difficult in joggers and tracksuits.

I’m genuinely curious here. Why do you think a working mindset requires smart clothes?

I spend all my working day in scrubs (that resemble pjs) and trainers. I have no difficulty getting into a working mindset. Before covid scrubs weren’t compulsory so I wore smart business clothes in line with our dress code. Provided my clothes were comfortable they didn’t affect my working mindset at all. Scrubs haven’t altered my work ethic.

When I work from home I focus just as well in joggers and a t-shirt than if I wear tailored trousers and a blouse.

When my DC get home I let them change into pjs. At weekends or in the holidays they wear joggers, sweaters, dresses, trainers. I haven’t noticed a difference in their ability to do homework or calculations depending on what they’re wearing. Children are constantly learning, I think instilling a love of learning is the best skill we can give them.

I agree with uniforms and can't get my head round why any parent thinks their princess should be allowed to go to school dressed like a hooker if they so wish. You all knew that kids would be required to wear a uniform before you became pregnant with them so why the mock outrage?

Girls can easily turn school uniform into a hooker outfit if they want to. At my school girls wore mini skirts to the top of their thighs, platform shoes, wonderbras under tight white button up shirts, heavy make up. Staff tried to police it constantly and failed. I remember girls being hauled out in assembly and shouted at for too short skirts. Girls being made to remove eye makeup and nail varnish in front of the class. It didn’t stop them.

I hoped by the time I had kids uniforms would have become more relaxed eg school colours and comfortable joggers and sweaters. Some schools have. Many haven’t reached that yet.

@chocolateorangeinhaler

I agree with uniforms and can't get my head round why any parent thinks their princess should be allowed to go to school dressed like a hooker if they so wish. You all knew that kids would be required to wear a uniform before you became pregnant with them so why the mock outrage?

😂😂😂 you are a loon!

What makes me laugh is that schools basically have uniforms because parents like them, not because they're under any illusion that it makes the students or school any better. But then the same parents who loved the idea of their little year 7 angels in the smart blazer spend the next 5 years moaning about buying uniform and their child having to stick to the uniform rules!

We would have consciously avoided schools where the children wore jogging pants after nursery age. They need to have a clear differentiation between lounging around at home and a working environment.

They need to have a clear differentiation between lounging around at home and a working environment.

Why do clothes have to provide that differentiation?

And how do most other countries school children and the vast majority of professional services manage it I wonder?

@LemonRoses - why?

DS is finishing his masters at Uni - he has spent the last four years in jeans or shorts. He has a 1st - what difference would wearing more formal clothes have made. He went to a non uniform school from ages 4-18 and left with all A’s.

You all knew that kids would be required to wear a uniform before you became pregnant with them so why the mock outrage?

I saw local kids wearing school uniform before my kids started school. I dont have a problem with uniform. I do have a problem with being forced to buy it from one supplier and having to make an appointment to go to the overpriced shop when I could get some almost but not quite the same for half the price in M and S. And the kids blazers didnt have price tags attached so no I didnt know that some (state) school blazers are over £100.

@Parker231

Clearly some DC like your DS can work hard while wearing casual clothing.

But the vast majority benefit from the focus and discipline provided by a uniform.

But the vast majority benefit from the focus and discipline provided by a uniform.

You don’t have a single shred of evidence to support this.

You just keep parroting it.

That doesn’t make it true, the experience of children all over the world testifies to that.