School Uniforms - What's Their Point?

ouraggie

Another argument for uniforms is that when students are on their way to and from school and indulge in various petty crimes, it is clear which school they are from. In the past I have phoned the relevant school (a) after witnessing 2 lads on a bus taunting an elderly lady wearing a wig and (b) when I was spat on by a girl from above as I walked under a bridge, which she and her mates found hilarious. On both occasions the school was most appreciative (and apologetic). 

Savvy_Sue

ouraggie said:

Another argument for uniforms is that when students are on their way to and from school and indulge in various petty crimes, it is clear which school they are from. In the past I have phoned the relevant school (a) after witnessing 2 lads on a bus taunting an elderly lady wearing a wig and (b) when I was spat on by a girl from above as I walked under a bridge, which she and her mates found hilarious. On both occasions the school was most appreciative (and apologetic). 

how times have changed ... one of my sisters had to wear white gloves in the summer, and taking them off while on the bus was a serious uniform infraction! There was a hat as well, obviously ... 

briskbeats

*max* said:

I went to school in France where there are no uniforms (bar in some few private schools), and I doubt bullying is any more or less of a problem than in UK schools, so (to me anyway) that argument is moot. Bullies will always find something to pick on, uniform or not uniform. Besides, kids see each other outside of school too, where they wear their regular clothes.

Most European countries' schools are like this for uniforms too. As been part of my school's German exchange trip and stayed in hotels with schools nearby in Italy, Croatia, Spain and Greece.

TripleH

I think 'a vague dress code' is appropriate.

My old school introduced one for the 6th form of smart trousers / skirt, smart shirt / blouse and I think a tie, moreso toymaker the students look professional.

This came about a year after I left, when, for most days I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge... several times.

I like polo shirt / sweatshirt for ordinary school and smart trousers, but don't see the point in ties.

It's what I miss now wfh is getting dressed for work puts me mentally in a different frame of mind to not working.

Spendless

Due to daughter's school trauma caused by bullying I had to join a few groups that discussed/raised school issues to seek help. When the subject of school uniform was discussed and the reason to 'what's their point' the view they gave was it's a money maker for the Government. The larger sizes attract VAT though that has been discussed on several other occasions whether it should   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41202356

and is also a large industry, if you think how many shops and supermarkets stock it. There's also the percentage the schools themselves make if you can only buy the uniform from their specialist supplier. I think that answer more likely than any other mooted, like a lot of things people ponder often it's a case the answer is in 'follow the money' 

silvercar

Spendless said:

Due to daughter's school trauma caused by bullying I had to join a few groups that discussed/raised school issues to seek help. When the subject of school uniform was discussed and the reason to 'what's their point' the view they gave was it's a money maker for the Government. The larger sizes attract VAT though that has been discussed on several other occasions whether it should   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41202356

and is also a large industry, if you think how many shops and supermarkets stock it. There's also the percentage the schools themselves make if you can only buy the uniform from their specialist supplier. I think that answer more likely than any other mooted, like a lot of things people ponder often it's a case the answer is in 'follow the money' 

I disagree with this. If children have a uniform their out of school clothes last longer and they need less.

Spendless

silvercar said:

Spendless said:

Due to daughter's school trauma caused by bullying I had to join a few groups that discussed/raised school issues to seek help. When the subject of school uniform was discussed and the reason to 'what's their point' the view they gave was it's a money maker for the Government. The larger sizes attract VAT though that has been discussed on several other occasions whether it should   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41202356

and is also a large industry, if you think how many shops and supermarkets stock it. There's also the percentage the schools themselves make if you can only buy the uniform from their specialist supplier. I think that answer more likely than any other mooted, like a lot of things people ponder often it's a case the answer is in 'follow the money' 

I disagree with this. If children have a uniform their out of school clothes last longer and they need less.

They outgrow them at a frequent rate  as they get taller and change shape and also as they get older, last year's  'clothes' aren't always what they wish to be wearing anymore (I have one child like this and 1 not) . It's more likely to be adults that wear till they fall apart.  So you are still replacing their 'everyday clothes' on top of buying uniform rather than having a wardrobe that can cover both. 

TripleH

Ah the good old days when we had hand-me downs.

Ah the slightly more recent days when we had hand-me ups.

My father did pretty well out of it.

silvercar

Spendless said:

silvercar said:

Spendless said:

Due to daughter's school trauma caused by bullying I had to join a few groups that discussed/raised school issues to seek help. When the subject of school uniform was discussed and the reason to 'what's their point' the view they gave was it's a money maker for the Government. The larger sizes attract VAT though that has been discussed on several other occasions whether it should   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41202356

and is also a large industry, if you think how many shops and supermarkets stock it. There's also the percentage the schools themselves make if you can only buy the uniform from their specialist supplier. I think that answer more likely than any other mooted, like a lot of things people ponder often it's a case the answer is in 'follow the money' 

I disagree with this. If children have a uniform their out of school clothes last longer and they need less.

They outgrow them at a frequent rate  as they get taller and change shape and also as they get older, last year's  'clothes' aren't always what they wish to be wearing anymore (I have one child like this and 1 not) . It's more likely to be adults that wear till they fall apart.  So you are still replacing their 'everyday clothes' on top of buying uniform rather than having a wardrobe that can cover both. 

That’s my point, you need less everyday clothes if you are only wearing them at the weekend/ holidays than if you needed to wear them everyday.

Sandtree

anotheruser said:

The first reason I have come across was so kids didn't bully other kids for not wearing labels.  These days, there are so many labels and clothes, I'm not sure it's really an issue.  Plus, those who will be wearing second hand uniforms or non-official (IE, supermarket versions) will still stick out anyway, so it's a moot point.

I can see an advantage for uniforms is it's one thing less for parents to worry about with what their kids are going to wear.  Schools also don't have to make judgement calls on whether sexually charged slogans are appropriate in the school setting.  But that wasn't a problem years ago for my schools.

But then the cost of many uniforms is stupid.
I heard one parent had spent over £700 a year on school uniform.

There were always so many labels and it is certainly still the case that kids will be bullied if in either cheap brands or simply the wrong name. Our school had a very strict uniform until you got to 6th form at which point the school didn't sell a blazer just a badge to be sown onto a double breasted navy blazer... the kid with the M&S polyester blazer with gold anchor buttons got mocked all the time.

For us a supermarket version didn't exist and realistically secondhand is not generally noticeable. 

Having a set uniform is an equaliser, yes kids will still find some ways to identify (in my time it was Doc Martin boots/shoes and there was a lively debate on if the yellow stitching on the sole broke school rules. It tries to focus kids on the blackboard rather than what brand of top the kid next to them is wearing. It also helps identify kids, local shops wouldn't serve those in the earlier year uniforms... yes someone could change into civies if they really wanted a chocolate bar and then change back again but it was sufficient to stop most from spending their lunch money on junk

Many of us will spend our working life in some form of uniform, be that literal like working in a large chain store or more general like all the office workers in a suit and shirt. It doesn't harm to get used to it early. I've known some where the first shirt they wear is to an interview and they are incredibly uncomfortable whereas those that have worn one for 8+ years its just another day.