Nobody has a problem with rules.
We all understand that rules are needed in schools to encourage good behaviour and instill some discipline.
I don't have a problem with uniforms. If a teacher doesn't like water bottles on desks, then that's fine.
The problem is the entire lack of critical thinking that some of the staff in schools are unable to apply, and the punishments for minor infringements on the rules.
So yes, have a uniform. That means students should wear a uniform. But it doesn't mean that students need to wear exactly that uniform all day, every day, with no exceptions.
It means that maybe there's a student who wears navy socks instead of black every so often. It means a student might undo their top button. Or tie their hair with a hair tie that isn't the right colour.
It means kids know to come to school in a shirt and tie instead of a football shirt.
In some cases, these things can be ignored, or dealt with with a passing "do your top button please".
But instead, these small things are met with detentions, or letters home, or isolation. All because the school doesn't agree with the stitching on your shoes.
We are all human and it's easy to lose a pen, or forget to bring something with you. We don't need to be punished for it.
If someone turns up without a pen every day of the week, then yes, it should be dealt with. But when you've lost your rubber and haven't gotten around to buying a new one, you shouldn't be receiving a detention.
By all means, have a rule where you don't allow water bottles on desks. But if you see someone have a quick drink while they're getting on with their work, don't stop the class and make them stand outside.
And if a bit has a skinkead, then so what? Don't comment on a child's hair.
Schools should be able to nurture amongst the rules, which I believe many are failing to do.
I know someone who works in a school. He had done so for all of his working life and you could tell that his way of thinking had really been affected. He was an adult, but "rules are rules" and there's no point in having them if you're not going to enforce them. He had no ability to think critically, to look at things from a different perspective am or to just get something done. He would complain about 18 year old sixth formers taking their ties off in the summer.
In my opinion, I think the sensible thing to do is to let 18 year olds cool down rather than have a room full of a dozen teenagers sweating for an hour.
Its a really bizarre mindset which a lot of teachers seem to have. There's no pragmatism.