School uniform – a life saver or a no no?
Here in England, most State schools require pupils to where a uniform or at least a ‘jumper’ (sweater) with the school’s logo or emblem. The standard school uniform for first and middle schools normally consists of black or grey trousers (I usually forget and call them pants) or skirts, a white polo style shirt, black shoes (not sneakers / trainers) and the aforementioned ‘jumper’. At the high school level for some schools, the uniform becomes a tad bit smarter replacing the shirt and ‘jumper’ with a long sleeved button down shirt, a jacket and a tie.
So far, I’ve been quite happy with the uniforms at each of my children’s schools. Easy to wash and iron and no hideous styles or colors. They’ve all been reasonably affordable too because you can get the trousers, shirt and shoes where ever you like. I normally opt for Marks and Sparks as they are inexpensive but good quality – including their school shoes.
However, things are changing. My daughter is starting high school in September and although she will be attending the same school as my eldest, the school has re-vamped their uniform policy, introducing an entire new set of uniforms and PE kits. Last night I dropped £81.48 on just one set of uniform for one child ….. and that did not include the shirt, shoes, tights and PE shorts/track suit bottoms (sweat pants). It only included, the black skirt, jacket, PE shirt and fleece. Shocker.
While I am used to buying uniforms and replacing worn out uniforms with new, I didn’t realize what an expensive task this would be. I mean, I saw the prices on the list, but it hadn’t actually sunk in until I saw the total figure and input my pin number at the point of paying. That amount of money might not sound too bad but when you consider I still have to buy for my eldest once his current uniform is worn out (it is worn out now, I’m just holding out for a little while longer!) and because the old uniforms will not be available and I still have to get shirts, shoes, tights and PE kits, it does seem a little on the expensive side. On the other hand, if they didn’t wear uniforms, I’d have to buy them regular clothes anyway. Oh but wait, I have to buy them regular clothes anyways as all people do!
There is also the convenience factor. They get up, they put on the same clothes and don’t have to think about what to wear and I don’t have to monitor what they put on (as much) and it’s quick and easy. It also cuts down on the amount of washing I have to do and it eliminates the fashion rivalry that might occur at non uniformed schools. But does it restrict their right to show their individuality? Does it turn them into mini soldiers? How do parents who are on limited budgets afford to even buy these uniforms? Doesn’t seem fair from that point of view. I was having a conversation with a few followers on my Bringing Up Brits Facebook page and thought the responses were so very interesting so decided to blog about it and continue the conversation.
Would love to hear what you think! Would it be better if American schools had uniforms? Does your school have a uniform? Like it or hate it?
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Meghan Peterson Fenn is the author of Bringing Up Brits and co-author of Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs with Heidi Mulligan Walker. Meghan is also the Director and Chief Designer at her own design company, White Ochre Design Ltd. And, she is an award winning expat blogger.
An ongoing debate in our household! My H is from Ireland, and always wore school uniforms. I am from Canada, and uniforms are only from those who go to private schools and I think they do make kids look like little soldiers. Recently we had to make a decision about which school to send our son to and the uniform component was a major source of conflict. I tried to ignore the uniforms and look solely at the quality of education. However, I just could not get over the fact that my son could go to school in ‘pants’ and a comfy shirt, while my daughter would have to attend in a skirt that may limit her from doing certain physical activities.
I know what you mean. The uniform does factor in. My daughter disliked one of the high schools of her choice partly because she disliked the uniform (ankle-length skirts and really unattractive sweaters). It wasn’t the only reason she disliked the school but it was a big part of it. When I was a child, I attended both a private school with uniforms and then for my last two years of high school I attended a public school with no uniforms. I much much preferred the non-uniforms as a student. I guess there are two point of views here – the parents and the children’s! Thanks for your comment
Many American schools do have uniforms–at least in the area where we live. Private schools definitely do, and many public schools do, but not to the extent that we saw in England. Most do not require neckties, nor do they require blazers or dress jackets. My children attended private schools, and they required uniforms with the school logo on the shirts or “jumpers” (what we call sweaters). My understanding that the reason the schools adopted this practice was because many of the public school children and youth were wearing gang symbols and offensive logos on their shirts, and were “sagging” their trousers. The private schools use uniforms to establish a standard school identity. It can be expensive, but most public school uniform parts are attainable at discount stores like Asda (Walmart) or Primark. Private school uniforms have to be purchased through the schools, and they can be more expensive. Most parents seem to appreciate the uniform policy.
Thanks John, I’m reading a book called That’s Not English: Britishisms, Americanisms, and what our English says about us by Erin Moore and there is a chapter that talks about the origins of ‘Mufti’ (which means plain clothes) and is used in all my kids’ schools to signify a non-uniform day. The chapter also talks about why Americans are less likely to love the idea of the school uniform. It’s a great read and is out now in the States – maybe pick up a copy? I think you’ll enjoy it after your time spent in London.
PS. I’ve also added sweater in ( ) in my post as I forget that a lot of people might not know that it’s the same as ‘jumper’. Thanks for the reminder
My children attend a Steiner school (UK) and they don’t wear a uniform, which I love. They can wear comfortable clothes that they choose. There are a few rules – like no pictures or logos on the clothes (and no black clothes before class 6). I like that they can express their individuality. I never had to wear a uniform so prefer that my kids don’t either. Lol.
Thanks Gail. Steiner school – is that similar to an International school? Yes, the uniform system did take some getting used to for me. The kids don’t mind it that much but if given the choice, they would prefer to wear their own clothes. They do sometimes get to do that on ‘Mufti’ days!
I’m an American (childless, I should add) living in the U.K., and I’ve heard this argued both ways, endlessly. Uniforms are supposed to the great social leveler, but they never manage to do it completely–some kids always have more expensive something-or-others. And some schools apparently use an expensive uniform to exclude poorer families.
A young friend fought his school about uniforms all the way through secondary school, and I have to say I admired him for it. And an adult who commented on my blog when I wrote about uniforms said that when she was a kid she noticed that although her school’s uniform policy demanded a tie, it didn’t specify where or how to wear it. I’m not sure where the tie ended up, but it wasn’t where they expected it. And it was within the rules.
Now there’s another kid I admire.
Hi Ellen, yes I think from a parent’s point of view the uniform can be a social leveler but from the kid’s point of view, meaning the ones where the uniform doesn’t make much difference at all from that aspect, the uniform doesn’t help at all. Weirdly enough this is reminding me of Pretty in Pink. The girl who made her own clothes and everyone made fun of her for it but by doing so, she expressed her individuality and her personality. What would a uniform have done to that movie? LOL. Anyway, thanks for your comment!