school uniform - any evidence of benefits?

[dreamylady]

DD's primary school doesn't have a uniform and hasn't had for many years. The head and staff are keen to introduce a uniform, parents and children are divided.

I'm a governor and as well as personally thinking the lack of a uniform reflects the uniquely (in our area) liberal, diverse, multicultural nature of the school, I'm concerned that if we go ahead with a uniform it will become a huge distraction and create extra work at a time when we have lots of other things to think about.

Does anyone know of evidence either way that school uniform at primary age does or doesn't have an impact on behaviour, attendance, attainment, reputation, OFSTED ratings, or anything else?

thanks,

dreamy

I can't provide data, but from what I've read, it can have a (limited) positive effect in more 'troubled' schools where attendance and behaviour is a problem.
In a school that is already working well it probably won't make any difference.

Can't produce any evidence but I wouldn't send my dc to a school that didn't have a uniform. Surely a uniform saves endless hours at home and if you go for something simple that can be bought from say, Asda, then it's probably about the cheapest form of children's clothing.

Don't know about any of that but it certainly has a benefit for me as a parent! I know exactly what they're going to wear each day and there can be no arguing over fashionable trainers as they have to wear black shoes. End of.

And with three children in primary school it makes my life easier!

I think it can seperate the kids who wear Superdry and the kids who wear Primark with negative effects.

Even if you haven't got two brass farthings to rub together, you still can 'fit in'.

We've recently tightened right up on uniform at the High school where I work and I think there's been an improvement in standards in general. (Behaviour, manners, etc). Could be coincidence though.

A study published in 2003 by DCSF indicated uniform improved behaviour and standards link.

A huge benefit to parents, stops all the hassle of what to wear and of huge benefit to the children who don't want to be different because their parents can't afford 'in clothes' or don't want their child to follow the herd. I can't see that it makes much difference, they all tend to wear more or less the same when they get the choice.

I think it's an alarm bell if the school has a uniform but doesn't enforce it properly. When we were choosing schools we saw great schools with uniform and great schools without, though there is undeniably a different vibe at non-uniform schools.

But I can't see the point of having a uniform if half the kids don't wear it, or are pushing the boundaries - there are some secondaries round here that let the kids wear uniform with fat ties, shirts out, trainers with their uniform, customised blazers etc and it just looks really rubbish. Kid in the non-uniform schools look scruffy as well, but at least they're not paying lipservice to some ugly uniform.

So I'd be looking for a school that either has the courage of its convictions to be non-uniform, or had a uniform or dress code that was properly adhered to.

meditrina- thanks for that - though I note it doesn't specify primary or secondary, and is an opinion survey re 'what parents think'.

I have found [[http://www.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/a-23-2007-07-18-voa1-83131937.htmlthis]

and just found www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jan/18/school-uniform-resultsthis from the Guardian

still overall a lack of actual real stats anywhere..

I thought there was evidence from a study suggesting an improvement in behaviour of secondary kids but not in primary...then someone came along and attributed the improvement in behaviour to another factor but I can't remember the detail - helpful eh?!

oops

-2007-07-18-voa1-83131937.html

www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jan/18/school-uniform-results

someone did tell me there was evidence - in schools with behaviour issues -that introducing a new rule and enforcing it persistently was really effective in improving overall behaviour.
I suppose uniform is a good one in this case cos you can instantly see who's complying and who isn't.
again, haven't actually seen it published..

in an inner-city school it is def a vital thing. If all teachers pick up on uniform (ie, insist on good standard - black shoes, decent skirt length, no jewelery etc) it means 'big' things tend to be kept at bay. It gives studenst a sense of identity, pride and takes away fashion wars. I have taught in 4 comprehensibe high schools.

I've read the arguments for and against because this is something I'm interested in. DD doesn't start school until 6/7 but her pre-school has a uniform and a P.E uniform.

I have found it to be a positive thing. ONe reason is that I didn't like the way DD was starting to become preoccupied with what she was wearing (wanting pink, wanting skirts). I know that's just a phase kids go through but it means that now when she gets up in the morning the last thing on her mind is how she's going to look that day.

but I do agree with you Rhadegunde about the patriarchal side of things and getting kids to conform. I will see how it pans out for DD. Strangely enough, although pre-school, middle-school and high schools in this country require uniforms, elementary(primary) schools don't .

hmmm just read that article and saw the point it was making that uniforms can hardly represent equality if some kids are wearing expensive three piece uniforms can they
WHen I was growing up parents were concerned about inequalities within schools but increasingly these days it looks as though poor and rich kids are ghettoized into schools with others of the same socio-economic background. Not good!

'but I do agree with you Rhadegunde about the patriarchal side of things and getting kids to conform'

This makes me hoot!!! Have you seen schools without uniform or on a non uniform day? They conform!

It does not make all pupils equal ,especially at secondary level

In what way does own clothes make them equal, usualsuspect?

You can still tell the have and the have nots even in a uniform ...theres the ones that get new uniform all the time and the ones that have to make do all year

I think that is hugely preferable to having the fashion clothes horse who wears a different outfit everyday to the one who has to alternate two sets of clothes. Also with school uniform they don't actually want a new set, there is a badge of honor in having chewed cuffs, etc!