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School uniform

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/aug/23/school-skirt-ban-uniform?INTCMP=SRCH

Patrick Barkham in the Guardian has written a good piece on the vexed issue of school uniform following one school's decision to make trousers compulsory for girls.

I have to say that, having worked as an assistant years ago in France, and having regularly observed classes at our French partner school, I have never been a fan of uniform. I also observe that when we have non-uniform days at RGS the behaviour of pupils does not change. Why would it?

Curiously, most of our pupils seem happy enough with uniform, especially the girls who don't have to decide what to wear each morning. Even our sixth-formers wear a traditional navy blue/black uniform with little complaint.

I am little persuaded by the egalitarian argument and certainly not by the behaviour one. There is no evidence, as the Guardian article points out, that uniform raises academic performance or improves behaviour. Uniform is also expensive.

In Britain we rather like uniformity. We are more tribal than most and have been responsible for a number of dress codes in the past: teddy boy, mod, punk. Our footy fans love sport their team's jersey. Teachers dress formally for school; office workers often sport jackets, ties and suits. We associate uniform with respectability and conformity and that is probably the heart of the matter.

For me personally uniform is the biggest curse of my job. Every day I tell kids to button up their collars, tuck in their shirts and even occasionally roll down their skirts. Every morning I have to put on an uncomfortable tie. I'd happily see the back of it and have a sensible work dress code. Pupils would quickly get bored with showing off and turn up every
day in jeans and sweat shirt.


(This post does not reflect the policy of my school!)



Comments

  1. From the parent's point of view, there is a lot less washing and ironing to do in termtime when my daughters wear uniform than in holidays when they pick out at least one outfit a day!

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