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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu? This sixth form shouldn't have a uniform.

122 replies

KindergartenKop · 27/08/2021 21:07

I'm rewatching all of Waterloo Road on iPlayer. It astounds me that, despite lax rules about ties, skirts and hoodies, the sixth form still have to wear the same uniform to as the rest of the kids.

IWRBU (is Waterloo Road being unreasonable) in making these 16-18yos wear uniform? Do you know of any sixth forms which make the kids wear uniform? I don't mean top man smart suits and a tie, I mean proper school uniform.

OP posts:
ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 27/08/2021 23:03

Where I grew up (SE England) sixth forms are non uniform with varying levels of smart / casual (I still have family there). I now live in Scotland and if anything the uniform is stricter in s5/6 (eg ds’s old school they wore blazers as opposed to just jumpers in s1-4). Ds actually ended up going to college for his highers, and there was no uniform or even dress code (beyond the very basic nothing offensive).

Blueskythinking123 · 27/08/2021 23:03

All the school 6th forms in the area I live have school uniform. It is the same as the rest of the school (tie might be different). It is only the colleges that allow own clothes.

I am in the Midlands.

MadameMinimes · 27/08/2021 23:04

One of my favourite things about the start of term as head of sixth form is seeing all the old year 11s wearing whatever they like and finding their own style. The quirky ones, the fashionistas, the ones who wear jeans and slogan T shirts, the ones who wear tracksuits, the ones who wear power suits. They can also dye their hair whatever colours they like so the start of year 12 is often a rainbow of fabulous hair colours too. It’s nice… so many kids find their tribe at sixth form and I love that they can wear pretty much whatever they want. It doesn’t negatively affect their learning and they’ve spent 5 years wearing a uniform so have already had the life lesson that sometimes in life you get told what to wear. I feel like it wouldn’t be the same atmosphere if they were all in polyester suits or uniform.

tttigress · 27/08/2021 23:06

I know a couple that are "business dress", make me laugh slightly because in the global multinational I work in most people were jeans/casual clothes now.

DontBeAHaterDear · 27/08/2021 23:08

My daughter’s school has uniform for sixth form. It’s slightly different to the rest of the school so you know what years they’re in. I don’t see why its necessary personally and they can’t wear their own choice of clothing (within reason). I know of a school where 6th form have to wear “business attire” so suits basically. I don’t get that either 🤷‍♀️

simitra · 27/08/2021 23:10

Its time all school uniforms were dumped. They are not social levellers. This has been proven again and again. Young adults wearing school uniform look ridiculous.

halcyondays · 27/08/2021 23:10

Yes, every school I know wears uniform in sixth form.

chesirecat99 · 27/08/2021 23:15

All the sixth forms here have uniforms but they are different from the rest of the school.

We had a dress code when I was in the sixth form... tweed jackets for the boys! Because gentlemen don't wear suits in the country Grin

GreenWhiteViolet · 27/08/2021 23:16

I finished school in 2003 or so. One of those Catholic state schools with an absolutely horrible brown and yellow uniform. I didn't go to sixth form, but while I was there, there was no uniform for sixth formers and most dressed very casually. My sister is 6 years younger and by the time she reached sixth form it was 'business dress'. Now they have an actual uniform - complete with blazer to be worn at all times and one approved skirt or one approved style of trousers from the school supplier. It's navy blue rather than the awful brown/yellow combination, but even so. I was at work at that age (without a uniform!) so I find dressing 16-18 year olds like children quite odd.

Thatsplentyjack · 27/08/2021 23:19

They do here, infact they go one step further with the 6th years and insist they wear a blazer.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 27/08/2021 23:19

@MadameMinimes I love that way of looking at it! You sound like a great teacher.

Rockhopper81 · 27/08/2021 23:21

[quote plodalong12]@Rockhopper81
Maybe it is the same school - in Kingshurst?

Hahaha - yes! Burgundy jumpers Grin[/quote]
Yep, that's the one! 😆

Whocareswherewego76 · 27/08/2021 23:22

Mine loved having a uniform in sixth form saved the worry of what to wear.

Porseb · 27/08/2021 23:32

In Northern Ireland, most of the schools have uniforms with blazers from year 7 (or 8 as it's called here) right through to 6th form. Slight variation for 6th formers (different coloured blazer, skirt, jumper or tie).

I prefer it, probably works out cheaper too.

olderthanyouthink · 27/08/2021 23:52

A friend went to a really good schools 6th form and had to get their uniform for the two years while the rest of us went to a stand alone 6th form and wore whatever.

PigletJohn · 28/08/2021 00:29

IMO, a young adult who can drive a car, has a BF/GF, has had holiday or Saturday jobs with grownups and earned a weekly paypacket, shaves, etc

is ridiculous in a school uniform with badges, braid etc

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/08/2021 02:19

@PigletJohn maybe but most six formers are only only adults for a few months if it all. They are children for all of year 12 and some most or even all of year 13.

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/08/2021 02:21

Why do people keep calling children young adults. An young adult is an 18-25 year old not a 16 or 17 year old.

SnackSizeRaisin · 28/08/2021 02:45

Mine loved having a uniform in sixth form saved the worry of what to wear

That seems really sad. They were so worried about clothes that they preferred no choice in what they wore rather than just wearing something they liked?
If genuinely true, it doesn't bode well for the rest of life. Surely choosing what to wear is just a bit of fun. You wonder how they will cope with much more important decisions and responsibilities as they move into adulthood.

Witchcraftandhokum · 28/08/2021 03:01

It's because the actors playing the kids are often older than their character, wearing a uniform reminds the viewer that they're young

timetochangeagainforever · 28/08/2021 06:33

School where I live (outer London) don't have uniforms for sixty form but they are told to wear 'business attire' which annoys me as my daughter (now 22) and my son, just going into sixth form, won't be wearing 'business attire' for their chosen profession. So I think they should be able to wear what they want, within reason. My son wants to be a physiotherapist so I don't understand why we have to spend £100 + on a suit when he won't be wearing one at uni or when he's in work!

daisypond · 28/08/2021 07:02

My impression is that only private schools and sixth form colleges don’t have uniform in sixth form, while state schools do.

MyOtherProfile · 28/08/2021 07:07

@simitra

Its time all school uniforms were dumped. They are not social levellers. This has been proven again and again. Young adults wearing school uniform look ridiculous.
Genuinely interested to get a link from you of where it has been proved uniform isn't a leveller.
Parker231 · 28/08/2021 07:10

School uniform is totally unnecessary. DC’s went through their whole school life without wearing a school uniform. It’s didn’t affect their ability to learn or behave.

mintich · 28/08/2021 07:14

All the 6th forms near me wear uniform (essex)

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