Are school uniforms necessary? Options

[GMR]

School uniforms.... do you think we still should pursue the policy of school uniforms for children? Personally I say yes as it puts children on an even keel. Some parents can afford expensive clothes, while others can’t and puts the poorer child in an unfair disadvantage and he or she could be prone to being bullied.

According to the NWN Poll 63% say yes, 17% says no while 20% also says yes but they are too expensive.

[On the edge]

School uniforms can and should be very cheap. There is absolutley no reason why schools simply can't choose the 'off the peg' stuff the popular chain stores sell. After all, as the survey suggests, most people think they are a good thing. A state school, funded by the public has no right to impose restrictive anti competitive practices. One wonders why.

[dannyboy]

School uniform is a good thing. A school blouse at £14.00 is a rip off. Barry Forkin will be selling them soon at those margins.

[Rose8]

School uniforms ARE a good idea, BUT many school have certain guidelines - ie- skirt length, shoe type etc etc and some children 'make up their own versions'. At my sons school, i was shocked at how short the skirts are !!! Although NOT how they should be, they still allow them to wear them like it !!!! So whereas school uniform is in place, the school dont actually enforce it and they SHOULD !!!!!!!

Same with make-up / jewellery ....... make up isnt meant to be worn .... it is. Earings should only be studs ..... they arent!!! When one wants to do it, the others follow (my son did !!). SO the schools NEED to act on ALL students not abiding by the correct dresscode - from head to foot.

[Bloggo]

School uniforms ARE a good idea, BUT many school have certain guidelines - ie- skirt length, shoe type etc etc and some children 'make up their own versions'. At my sons school, i was shocked at how short the skirts are !!! Although NOT how they should be, they still allow them to wear them like it !!!! So whereas school uniform is in place, the school dont actually enforce it and they SHOULD !!!!!!!

Same with make-up / jewellery ....... make up isnt meant to be worn .... it is. Earings should only be studs ..... they arent!!! When one wants to do it, the others follow (my son did !!). SO the schools NEED to act on ALL students not abiding by the correct dresscode - from head to foot.

School Uniforms serve several important purposes.
They ensure that all pupils are wearing the same outfit, thus avoiding the distinctions that a more well off family might provide.
The provide a sense of belonging and membership of the group.
They present an image of discipline and order very much as the business suit used to do.
What you say above shows an errosion of standards which not only go against my observations but also, and more importantly, a disregard for the rules of the schools. This I blame on the school and it's Governors for not holding the line in regard to the standards it has set itself.
Kids will always push the boundaries and it's up to schools and parents to keep control.

[Chesapeake]

School Uniforms serve several important purposes.
They ensure that all pupils are wearing the same outfit, thus avoiding the distinctions that a more well off family might provide.
The provide a sense of belonging and membership of the group.
They present an image of discipline and order very much as the business suit used to do.
What you say above shows an errosion of standards which not only go against my observations but also, and more importantly, a disregard for the rules of the schools. This I blame on the school and it's Governors for not holding the line in regard to the standards it has set itself.
Kids will always push the boundaries and it's up to schools and parents to keep control.

Are you ex-forces Bloggo as some of the things that you say here ring of forces talk? I totally agree with you about the reasons for wearing a uniform but you ommitted one important thing. If anything happens to the child either an accident, truancy, runaway they can much more easily be recognised by CCTV operators or Jo Public if they are wearing a distinctive uniform.

I think the main problem here is the cost and the lack of choice in retailer. Why can the schools not have a uniform code to abide by from a retailer of choice and then insist that the Schools emblem is ironed on to the clothes?

[Bloggo]

Are you ex-forces Bloggo as some of the things that you say here ring of forces talk?

No just old school standards.

I totally agree with you about the reasons for wearing a uniform but you ommitted one important thing. If anything happens to the child either an accident, truancy, runaway they can much more easily be recognised by CCTV operators or Jo Public if they are wearing a distinctive uniform.

Yep, a very good point.

I think the main problem here is the cost and the lack of choice in retailer. Why can the schools not have a uniform code to abide by from a retailer of choice and then insist that the Schools emblem is ironed on to the clothes?

Yes, I agree. Nothing wrong with that.

[JeffG]

At my sons school, i was shocked at how short the skirts are !!!

I don't think the older girls at St. Bart's actually wear skirts. At least, it's quite hard to tell from my studies of the subject.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

I don't think the older girls at St. Bart's actually wear skirts. At least, it's quite hard to tell from my studies of the subject.

Looks like JeffG is going to be on a government list soon if the new proposals go through....

[Rose8]

You are just soooooo bad, the pair of you !!! :-)

I can assure you ..... my son doesnt complain about the skirt length and would be most disgusted with me if i should dare to mention it to any of the teachers - maybe i shall leave that until my daughter goes there and she WILL be wearing the LONGER length ...... However, do you know, those girls who do have longer length skirts, actually hook them up and twist them over at the top, to shorten them !! So parents THINK their children are in regular uniform and some are unaware of this modification - dont you just love the little darlings :-)

[JeffG]

Hee hee. Next thing they'll be tearing up my CRB form.

[Bloggo]

You are just soooooo bad, the pair of you !!! :-)

I can assure you ..... my son doesnt complain about the skirt length and would be most disgusted with me if i should dare to mention it to any of the teachers - maybe i shall leave that until my daughter goes there and she WILL be wearing the LONGER length ...... However, do you know, those girls who do have longer length skirts, actually hook them up and twist them over at the top, to shorten them !! So parents THINK their children are in regular uniform and some are unaware of this modification - dont you just love the little darlings :-)

Well be thankful that the boys are not wanting to wear skirts!!
Give it time

[Rose8]

Well be thankful that the boys are not wanting to wear skirts!!
Give it time

Now ........ thats a different 'thread' surely

[Bloggo]

Now ........ thats a different 'thread' surely

Great, I get it!!!!

[Branston Pickle]

Possibly girls are allowed to get away with too short skirts is because, with the way things are at the moment, I'd imagine it's very difficult for teachers to comment on skirt lengths without being accused of something.

[Berkshirelad]

Possibly girls are allowed to get away with too short skirts is because, with the way things are at the moment, I'd imagine it's very difficult for teachers to comment on skirt lengths without being accused of something.

Nah, female staff are out with rulers on the first day of term.

When I was a lot younger, the girls had to kneel at assembly for spot checks and woe betide any girl whose skirt wasn't touching the ground.