[Tony Montana]

Are/Were you for or against them?

I was always against them.

[Elliot]

I think the way British public schools are run are dog**** in a myriad of ways, including uniform.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Elliot

I think the way British public schools are run are dog**** in a myriad of ways, including uniform.

Public schools? Do you mean state schools?

[Morgan.]

I get why they exist but I don't think they're essential to the education of a child nor do I think they should be as strictly monitored as they are (like we had specific tie lengths, black socks only etc)

[Livia]

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

I find this such an outdated way of thinking in regards to uniform. My school (it's between a rough area and a more well off area, so has students from both) had a non uniform day at the end of every term and very rarely was there any predujice over kids with less quality clothing.

Besides, I found there was more ridiculing on the uniform days - if someone school shoes were tatty or old, if someone had a muddy blazer, if their tie or short had holes in, if their trousers were too short etc.

And in the same sense, people would be ridiculed if they're were following the uniform policy too well (tucking in their shirt, tie at correct length, wearing smart trousers instead of jeans etc).

Imo there's absolutely no difference when it comes to kids ridiculing each other over uniform or non uniform - it's all the same. It will happen in some instances regardless.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

I find this such an outdated way of thinking in regards to uniform. My school (it's between a rough area and a more well off area, so has students from both) had a non uniform day at the end of every term and very rarely was there any predujice over kids with less quality clothing.

Besides, I found there was more ridiculing on the uniform days - if someone school shoes were tatty or old, if someone had a muddy blazer, if their tie or short had holes in, if their trousers were too short etc.

And in the same sense, people would be ridiculed if they're were following the uniform policy too well (tucking in their shirt, tie at correct length, wearing smart trousers instead of jeans etc).

Imo there's absolutely no difference when it comes to kids ridiculing each other over uniform or non uniform - it's all the same. It will happen in some instances regardless.

Outdated? LOL.... I ****ing give up on this place.

[Ant.]

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

This

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

All of my schools had uniforms and my kids do too and to be honest I think it only partially addresses that problem, at best. The uniforms are very rarely provided in state schools, it's just a provided list (black trousers, black shoes etc.) and the quality and fit of the items, especially things like shoes and coats, vary so widely that it's still easy to tell who has ordered in quality items and who has been on a supermarket sweep at primark. I guess it's like any formal event. They have a dress code that will be like "black suit" for men but it's still pretty obvious who has had a quality suit tailored for them and who has bought a £100 one off the rack.

To be honest I find that in non-uniform environments it's actually easier to emphasise style choices over garment quality so the differences can be LESS obvious. For example for a t shirt with a design on it, if I see a cheapo one that I like the look of I'll wear it. But when it comes to PLAIN clothing I'll always choose more expensive, higher quality items because they're almost always a better fit, more comfortable, longer lasting, and because the materials / stitching etc. are just visibly far better.

I guess somewhat shamefully we play into it with my own kids too. We spend a small fortune on their uniforms every summer (and usually again in winter because the little bastards just keep on growing!), again especially on things like shoes, coats, cardigans... But even dresses / trousers and shirts too... When we COULD just buy a load from primark, but we've tried it and it just looks cheap. We live in a fairly affluent village and I'd say that less than 10% of the kids are low income, and the number who could be described as "deprived" is really only a handful in the whole school and calling a spade a spade - you can tell from their clothes. The fact that it's a uniform makes no difference. And again I suspect I would find it harder to tell if everyone was wearing their own stuff, because it does seem so much MORE obvious when you're comparing "like for like" kids stood right next to each other.

Its a horrible thing to have to buy into I guess. But uniforms don't change it. Unless it's an actual set uniform provided... But there's no way any state school can afford that, and if parents have to order through the school that can limit choice even further and ends up making it harder for less well off families. I don't know that there is a good solution

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Matthew.

I’m for them but I don’t think it should be things like blazers or kilts etc, just the jumper with a school badge and trousers is fine imo. Like a few posts in here have said, it stops the “I’m better than you because I wear X brand” mentality that goes on

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

You say that, but I work in a school; there are uniforms (blazers lined with the house colours and a white shirt, or polo shirts in the house colours), both the with school crest; also available are the supermarket versions which are allowed, but they're clearly obvious which is which, and that has the same effect as wearing cheap clothes.

[rusticgal]

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

Absolutely agree. It puts everyone on the same level.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm for them. It'd reduce the risk of poor kids being ridiculed for cheap trainers and no designer labels. It gives everyone a kind of equality.

This for me as to the merits of them too.

I loved however being in my school uniform

[Underscore]

For until Sixth Form. Own clothes after.

Works well enough in my school.

[Liam-]

For, there’s enough time out of school hours for kids to dress how they want, school isn’t a fashion show.

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Liam-

For, there’s enough time out of school hours for kids to dress how they want, school isn’t a fashion show.

It's not about being a 'fashion show', it's about expression. We are growing up in a changing world where it's increasingly becoming normal to be different - and we are forcing kids to dress identically and by the book?

And 2/7 days to wear their own clothes is hardly enough time to develop their individual identity

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

It's not about being a 'fashion show', it's about expression. We are growing up in a changing world where it's increasingly becoming normal to be different - and we are forcing kids to dress identically and by the book?

And 2/7 days to wear their own clothes is hardly enough time to develop their individual identity

When you get to work you'll be told to do things and you'll have to do them. Pity school isn't instilling THAT into you.

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Livia

When you get to work you'll be told to do things and you'll have to do them. Pity school isn't instilling THAT into you.

I mean I'm quite aware of that but many workplaces are accepting of expression, whether it be hair colour, piercings, or even colour of ****ing socks.

But thank you for your patronising responses and disregard to any of my points

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Livia

When you get to work you'll be told to do things and you'll have to do them. Pity school isn't instilling THAT into you.

^

That.

[Cherie]

I think its a good thing, particularly for parents, getting kids out to school in the morning can be hard enough, add into the mix ' what am I wearing' and it becomes more of a drudge

It prepares students for life outside school, as in most work places there is a uniform of some description

Also saves money as wearing the same clothes to school each day would not be acceptable to some kids

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I think its a good think, particularly for parents, getting kids out to school in the morning can be hard enough, add into the mix ' what am I wearing' and it becomes more of a drudge

It prepares students for life outside school, as in most work places there is a uniform of some description

Also saves money as wearing the same clothes to school each day would not be acceptable to some kids

Get out of here Cherie, with your common sense...….

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Livia

Get out of here Cherie, with your common sense...….

don't make me leave

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I think its a good think, particularly for parents, getting kids out to school in the morning can be hard enough, add into the mix ' what am I wearing' and it becomes more of a drudge

It prepares students for life outside school, as in most work places there is a uniform of some description

Also saves money as wearing the same clothes to school each day would not be acceptable to some kids

I do understand this, but I think also the policies around uniform need work. You don't buy your work uniform in many instances - it's handed out.

So why, when at school, can your parents spend upwards of £100 buying a uniform that's compulsory? I had two £35 blazers (they reccomended buying 2), two long sleeved shirts and two short sleeved £30 between them, two pairs of trousers £30 between them and a pair of school standard shoes £35. That alone is £130. Then Factor in every time I need new things because I've grown, or gone up a shoe size.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Blurryface

I do understand this, but I think also the policies around uniform need work. You don't buy your work uniform in many instances - it's handed out.

So why, when at school, can your parents spend upwards of £100 buying a uniform that's compulsory? I had two £35 blazers (they reccomended buying 2), two long sleeved shirts and two short sleeved £30 between them, two pairs of trousers £30 between them and a pair of school standard shoes £35. That alone is £130. Then Factor in every time I need new things because I've grown, or gone up a shoe size.

tbf though a pair of decent trainers is 80 quid these days and get your Mum buying you two blazers, mine got one big one, sleeves down around their ankles in year 7 and up to their elbows by Year 11

I took my son out the other day and the trainers were 110.00 quid I nearly died

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I think its a good thing, particularly for parents, getting kids out to school in the morning can be hard enough, add into the mix ' what am I wearing' and it becomes more of a drudge

It prepares students for life outside school, as in most work places there is a uniform of some description

Also saves money as wearing the same clothes to school each day would not be acceptable to some kids

very sensible post Cherie,go to the top of the class.

[rusticgal]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I think its a good thing, particularly for parents, getting kids out to school in the morning can be hard enough, add into the mix ' what am I wearing' and it becomes more of a drudge

It prepares students for life outside school, as in most work places there is a uniform of some description

Also saves money as wearing the same clothes to school each day would not be acceptable to some kids

Exactly...I wear a uniform for work..as much as I dislike it at least I don’t have to think about what to wear.
On another note..when my boys got home from school they always changed into their own clothes to go out to play...I couldn’t understand why children were out playing in their uniform..but then each to their own