School Uniform vs Clothing Elitism

*It looks much smarter when all pupils are in uniform
*Uniform creates a kind of unity between students
*It prevents the whole judging thing that is so common in teenagers of one upmanship or looking down on people who can't afford certain brands or styles

"At my school we had to wear a school jumper (which was cheap) a white/grey/black shirt/polo shirt, black/grey trousers/skirt (not jeans), and black trainers or shoes. "

St Helier Deputy and former teacher Rob Ward has also called for the government to help make uniforms available ‘in the most generic form’ and for ‘the cheapest price possible’.

Deputy Ward is right. Branded school uniforms can be expensive, but, as a former teacher, he certainly realises why school uniforms are important.

As usual, a focus on one thing - price - which does need to be sorted - has led to a lack of focus on other matters. Non-uniform days exist, and the children (and probably parents) often go for the worst kind of one-upmanship. 

Children, as a group, can be extremely unkind to one another when it comes to making comments about another child’s mode of dress. They can be victimised by their peers because they are not wearing the latest fashion or designer label. Imposing a school uniform stops all of the above and is a great leveller that prevents what could be termed ‘clothing elitism’.

When you see the change in behaviour on non uniform day then you will realise why uniforms are important. A discussion across the internet reveals this, and talking to poorer parents will also reveal this. As a parent myself, when my children were growing up, I saw exactly this kind of behaviour on non-uniform days. 

Here's a selection of comments on what happens, gleaned not just from Jersey, but widely across the UK:

Comments

The "pushy parents", as we called them, liked to show off that, in addition to a posh SUV, they also had posh clothing at home.

The pressure on parents to spend £100+ on the latest trainers is fine when you’ve got expendable income. All this would do is cause those less fortunate unnecessary anxiety. I’ve worked in schools for 6 years and non uniform days are the hardest thing for so many, so much so attendance is often decreased.

School uniforms bring a sense of pride and belonging. Smartness and routine ready for work life. They also help because everyone is the same and not competing with brands or wearing new clothes everyday so the poorer kids don't stick out or get bullied because they can't afford designer or new clothes regularly etc

I wore a uniform at school and it made things pretty simple. My daughter wore one too in the countries we lived in, I liked it because it prevented oneupmanship, no designer jeans or designer trainers, etc.

No, it's awful for children who don't have the newest clothes or top brands. Uniform makes it equal for all, and a sense of belonging to the school in my opinion, children are all individuals of course but they do have the chance to wear their own clothes in the evenings, holidays and weekends


No I think school uniform is important as it makes sure all kids dress the same no competition for having the best clothes,no uniform would make it very competitive for children to keep up with their friends and the latest fashion trends.

Definitely not. Scrap uniforms and some children will go in designer clothes making the poorer children stick out like a sore thumb. So unfair

It only helps to show the levels of inequality. You end with Brand snobbery and this builds children’s anxiety. I know both my children hated none school uniform days. They always felt like they were being judged.

The first school I taught in scrapped uniforms in 1975. I was all for it at the time. What a disaster!! Such bullying about too posh, too scruffy, too old fashioned etc. We brought back uniform within ten years. What a relief..