NationStates Jolt Archive

For all those who like to point out that school uniforms would help students, please take a look at the other extreme:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4608655.stm


Shoes rule Adam out of GCSE exam

Adam Gervaux's banned trainers
Adam said he had worn his trainers since April with no problems
A schoolboy missed his English literature GCSE exam after being sent home to change out of trainers. ...

I see the merits of school uniform, but not in fascist enforcement of ridiculous extremes like this. My old school banned denim because they said it was a "health and safety hazard", they never elaborated. They also banned tops with hoods, and jackets with high collars. You would be sent home if you wore too much red, as it was claimed it "disrupted pupils."

In Japan I could understand having school uniforms. So many people wear uniforms as part of their work you could argue that wearing them in school is practice. But how many people are going to wear uniforms as part of their job in the U.K. and just how much practice do you need in wearing them? I don't see the practical benefit. I suppose you could argue that it saves students the stress of having to decide what to wear in the morning, but you know, just maybe, that could be a valuable learning experience.

In Japan I could understand having school uniforms. So many people wear uniforms as part of their work you could argue that wearing them in school is practice. But how many people are going to wear uniforms as part of their job in the U.K. and just how much practice do you need in wearing them? I don't see the practical benefit. I suppose you could argue that it saves students the stress of having to decide what to wear in the morning, but you know, just maybe, that could be a valuable learning experience.

The system is reasoned as being a precaution against unauthorised people entering the school, since they'd b e easily recognised as not wearing uniform.

I don't mind a certain dress code for school... after all, that's what you will have in later life as well, in most jobs and positions.
But the idea of a school uniform doesn't appeal to me at all. Furthermore, this article confirms some of the stories a friend of mine told me after she had been to England as Au Pair. She stayed in a family with 5 children, who all went to the same school. The children got sent home on a regular basis because, of course, the socks got mixed up in the wash. the school didn't send them home because of the colour of the sox, but because sometimes the socks wouldn't have the right length...

I don't mind a certain dress code for school... after all, that's what you will have in later life as well, in most jobs and positions.
But the idea of a school uniform doesn't appeal to me at all.
I'm not only against school unifoms but against almost all dress codes. I have to say almost because I'm sure that someone can give me an example when it's needed. I've never had any kind of dress code in school and yet I've managed to follow dress codes in jobs. I don't think you need to practice wearing e.g. black trousers.

I've seen how young girls in England go to school in skirts shorter than my bikini and that's just fine but wearing trainers is unacceptable. I've seen how girls were freezing on winter because they were not allowed to wear trousers or even long skirts. I've noticed that one can spend huge amounts of money on school uniforms. etc I know it's a tradition and some like it but I can't see any reasons to support it.

The system is reasoned as being a precaution against unauthorised people entering the school, since they'd b e easily recognised as not wearing uniform.

How odd. When I was a lad we couldn't wait to get out of school, let alone enter a school we didn't have to.

I guess this has something to do with drugs or gangs or something.

Uniforms have been shown to improve discipline.

As to the cost. After a few years of uniforms in the county's largest school district the second hand stores all have the uniforms, dirt cheap.

Personally I always liked school uniforms, non one noticed when you wore the same thing for a week strait. Then I transferred to a public school and old habits died hard.

As to the cost. After a few years of uniforms in the county's largest school district the second hand stores all have the uniforms, dirt cheap.

And of course children with uniforms do not get mocked because their parents could not afford the latest fashion. It also avoids the problem of people coming to school in clothes with texts that ridicule religions, show pornographic scenes etc. It may unify students in their hate of uniforms. And uniforms stimulate creativity -provided you are allowed accessoires/small liberties.

Those are the upside. The list with downsides is also long.

I don't think they should have sent him home on an exam day, but if he wore them on a normal day I have no problem with the school ensuring that students meet a dress code.

Uniforms have been shown to improve discipline.

As to the cost. After a few years of uniforms in the county's largest school district the second hand stores all have the uniforms, dirt cheap.

Personally I always liked school uniforms, non one noticed when you wore the same thing for a week strait. Then I transferred to a public school and old habits died hard.
There are discipline problems in every school. The solution has to be something else than uniforms. (my opinion of course, nothing else)

You can spend a lot on uniforms or get cheap ones. You can spend a lot on clothes or buy cheap ones. It's just the same. I've heard that poor kids won't be laughed at as much if everyone wears same kind of clothing but I've noticed that it's not true. Kids are cruel and uniforms don't change that.

I'm not only against school unifoms but against almost all dress codes. I have to say almost because I'm sure that someone can give me an example when it's needed. I've never had any kind of dress code in school and yet I've managed to follow dress codes in jobs. I don't think you need to practice wearing e.g. black trousers.

I've seen how young girls in England go to school in skirts shorter than my bikini and that's just fine but wearing trainers is unacceptable. I've seen how girls were freezing on winter because they were not allowed to wear trousers or even long skirts. I've noticed that one can spend huge amounts of money on school uniforms. etc I know it's a tradition and some like it but I can't see any reasons to support it.


I never once wore a school uniform myself, and I wouldn't have accepted one as a student. There were no dress codes at my school either, and it still didn't have any disciplinary problems.
However, i know that my school may well have been an exception and that other schools might be fighting problems with discipline and problems among the students regarding clothes. In those cases I think a dress code would be adequate, but I can't imagine any scenario where a school uniform would be called for.

And of course children with uniforms do not get mocked because their parents could not afford the latest fashion...
Are you sure? Very few people used to laugh at poor kids when I was still in school. There are few of those brats in every school and I've noticed that uniforms don't stop them.

Are you sure? Very few people used to laugh at poor kids when I was still in school. There are few of those brats in every school and I've noticed that uniforms don't stop them.

I'd imagine there are schools where this could be a problem. But let's be honest, they will laugh about kids who wear 2nd hand uniforms as well, they'd laugh because their moms won't have to mend the uniforms but can buy new ones, they'd laugh because those kids still can't afford the cool expensive mobiles the rich kids have, they'd laugh because the others obviously have less money.
School uniforms don't change that.

I'd imagine there are schools where this could be a problem. But let's be honest, they will laugh about kids who wear 2nd hand uniforms as well, they'd laugh because their moms won't have to mend the uniforms but can buy new ones, they'd laugh because those kids still can't afford the cool expensive mobiles the rich kids have, they'd laugh because the others obviously have less money.
School uniforms don't change that.
That's what I'm saying. I keep reading this same argument over and over again but never seen that it has any use in real life.

I went to school in Germany (no dresscodes) and Australia (public school with a school uniform, but it wasn't too bad).

The discipline was slightly better in Germany, but the teacher-student relationship was better in Australia.
Generally appearance was better in Germany, as kids there were more concerned about how they looked, while in Australia everyone wore the same thing and it wasn't that important.
The Uniforms cost about $30 for the whole set (a shirt, basically) and we were allowed to wear any black trousers or shorts, as long as they weren't "too baggy". The girls also had to get a skirt, but that wasn't too expensive either.
For our last year there, we even got to buy special jumpers with our name on them, they cost about $80.

I say that having a very un-intrusive uniform, like the one at Kenmore High (http://www.kenmoreshs.qld.edu.au) is a good thing. I wasn't as worried about my appearance, and chosing clothes was a lot easier. Many kids there would have preferred not to wear a uniform, but for my part...
I strongly disagree with "prim and proper" uniforms, with jackets and ties and all the rest of it. Those are only for the parents of the kids to feel good about themselves by showing off what a great school their kids go to.

Kids in the exact same uniform is a good thing. Slap them with Blazers w/ school crest, matching slacks, shirt in school color and a school tie. Helps a bit with conformity, reduces some discipline problems (obviously not all). Also reduces the male tendency to stare at female students' asses from the back row when there are no girls who are wearing low-rider jeans with a neon-pink thong.

Not that I particularly minded the view when I was in high school... still I was pro-uniform back then as well.

And that’s mandated school uniforms, made by the school, all the same. No difference in quality and price. 'Rented' for a set fee at the beginning of the year, returned at the end of the year with a refund in cash minus adverse effects to the condition of the garments. Of course I'd also be banning cell phones from school as well. It rings (without a very unique circumstance w/ prior warning), its gone.

School uniform hasn't stopped bullying in my school. Instead of stopping that, the teachers run a fascist style uniform card system where you can get a detention after school for wearing a coat on a cold day.

Not the best way to raise student morale and mood, methinks.

And banning mobiles didn't stop that bullying either. I'm virtually the only poerson who doesn't bring it into school, despie the fact you can lose it for a month if you're caught.

That's what I'm saying. I keep reading this same argument over and over again but never seen that it has any use in real life.

I think the argument is just too old. People who grew up with it will pass it on to their kids... it's tradition in some countries now, nobody questions it any more.
I think the whole school uniform thing may have made sense when it was introduced, though looking at schools like Eton makes me doubt that as well. It may not have been introduced as an equaliser to the students but rater to create a sense of school identity and to distance the better schools from the others...

Are you sure? Very few people used to laugh at poor kids when I was still in school. There are few of those brats in every school and I've noticed that uniforms don't stop them.

It is not just teasing. How someone looks often defines the first impression you have from them, and consequently determine if you will make an effort to get to know them or not. Few will for instance will step towards the nerd in his unfashionable clothes or the poor person that looks silly. A schooluniform at least takes away that last aspect - if someone has nothing to talk about they will of course still be outsiders, but then at least it is due to themselves and not due to the amount of cash their parents have.

School uniform hasn't stopped bullying in my school. Instead of stopping that, the teachers run a fascist style uniform card system where you can get a detention after school for wearing a coat on a cold day.

Go more formal. No one is cold in a Blazer. Never mind that any uniform code that doesn't accommodate for cold days is purely idiotic.

Not the best way to raise student morale and mood, methinks.

On the contrary. It can encourage school tradition, spirit and sense of cohesion. It could also potential 'oppress' some peoples 'individuality' because they can't wear their nose ring and bulldog collar.

And banning mobiles didn't stop that bullying either. I'm virtually the only poerson who doesn't bring it into school, despie the fact you can lose it for a month if you're caught.

Has nothing to do with bullying. Has everything to do with interruption of classes. I literally had a damned cheerleader call her mother during class to complain about the teacher being 'mean to her.' Was quite hilarious to watch the teacher take the phone, inform the mother that her child had just been suspended for the day and would need to be picked up pronto.

It is not just teasing. How someone looks often defines the first impression you have from them, and consequently determine if you will make an effort to get to know them or not. Few will for instance will step towards the nerd in his unfashionable clothes or the poor person that looks silly. A schooluniform at least takes away that last aspect - if someone has nothing to talk about they will of course still be outsiders, but then at least it is due to themselves and not due to the amount of cash their parents have.
You have a valid point but after 9 years of Finnish compherensive school (no uniforms) I can't agree with you. Based on my experience I'd say that people become more tolerable as they get to know others who dress differently. That clothes actually don't tell anything about the person who's wearing them.

Go more formal. No one is cold in a Blazer. Never mind that any uniform code that doesn't accommodate for cold days is purely idiotic.

So, the parents have to send even mor money to buy you formal blazers for when it's cold because your regular code is no longer allowed?



On the contrary. It can encourage school tradition, spirit and sense of cohesion. It could also potential 'oppress' some peoples 'individuality' because they can't wear their nose ring and bulldog collar.


It CAN. In most cases, you'll find it won't. A sense of school tradition and cohesion doesn't suddenly spring into existence because you force the kids to wear clothes they are not comfortable with.
On the other hand, there are schools with a very strong sense of tradition and identification that don't even have a dress code, let alone a uniform. I know, because that's the kind of school I went to.

I think calling for school uniforms to solve disciplinary problems and have the kids behave better is the easy way out for both parents and teachers. It's not going to work, though...

in my own experiences, at high school i was basically half teachers pet and half rebel, which meant i could almost totally disregard the uniform without getting in trouble. the official uniform was blazer, shit (tucked in), tie, black smart shoes and grey trousers. i wore untucked shirt, grey trousers and trainers. so, if you are a model pupil in most respects, you are able to take liberties in other respects. heh heh heh.

i think that uniforms are a great leveller, as long as they are not draconian uniforms. the aforesaid high school has ditched the shirt and tie in place of a polo shirt, which i think is a good thing. uniforms should definitely be practical over smart.

So, the parents have to send even mor money to buy you formal blazers for when it's cold because your regular code is no longer allowed?

Yes because 300-500 dollars in uniforms is virtually impossible, can't be made in payments and you just can't possibly afford to rent it for the year :rolleyes:. Perhaps they could stop the cellphone and buy the clothes.

It CAN. In most cases, you'll find it won't. A sense of school tradition and cohesion doesn't suddenly spring into existence because you force the kids to wear clothes they are not comfortable with.

You'll find that a decent set of 'formal' clothes is far more comfrotable than jeans and a t-shirt. Especially in the cold. Considering we're talking about public schools the cost of uniforms would be highly subzdized anyway. And who is talking about 'suddenly' changing things? You impose the uniform and keep it imposed for decades. Tradition and cohesion builds both when the students are there and when they aren't there.

On the other hand, there are schools with a very strong sense of tradition and identification that don't even have a dress code, let alone a uniform. I know, because that's the kind of school I went to.

Varies by state, region, city, size of school etc... Besides which a personal example 'well my school... blah blah blah' is nothing but bullshit. Nor does it form a valid argument against setting up an environment where it is more likely to take place.

I think calling for school uniforms to solve disciplinary problems and have the kids behave better is the easy way out for both parents and teachers. It's not going to work, though...

It will improve behavior somewhat. However it is nothing but a small part of an over-arching attitude that is needed.

Varies by state, region, city, size of school etc... Besides which a personal example 'well my school... blah blah blah' is nothing but bullshit. Nor does it form a valid argument against setting up an environment where it is more likely to take place.



It will improve behavior somewhat. However it is nothing but a small part of an over-arching attitude that is needed.

Personal experience is no standart, I know. But I would really like to see a long-term study that took place in several schools in several countries, taking into account different social backgrounds that shows that simply by introducing school uniform the bullying declined, the discipline went up, a sense of identification with the school was achieved and the children were happier than before.

Otherwise, I'll stick to my experiences, thank you.

Personal experience is no standart, I know. But I would really like to see a long-term study that took place in several schools in several countries, taking into account different social backgrounds that shows that simply by introducing school uniform the bullying declined, the discipline went up, a sense of identification with the school was achieved and the children were happier than before.

I think you'll find no such study exists, either way. Other than perhaps the results of private of schools and inner-city mothers tendency to try their damndest to send their kids to a private cathloic school rather than the public schools. Of course I'm sure they do that for no reason at all.

Otherwise, I'll stick to my experiences, thank you.

In a tribute to the catholic church. Personal experience shall always be overridden by reasoning (or for the church, the bible).

I think you'll find no such study exists, either way. Other than perhaps the results of private of schools and inner-city mothers tendency to try their damndest to send their kids to a private cathloic school rather than the public schools. Of course I'm sure they do that for no reason at all.



In a tribute to the catholic church. Personal experience shall always be overridden by reasoning (or for the church, the bible).

Excuse me for bringing in experience again, but I went to a private catholic school. It didn't have school uniforms. Your point?

Excuse me for bringing in experience again, but I went to a private catholic school. It didn't have school uniforms. Your point?

:rolleyes: Come back when you can take into account that most do.

I think you'll find no such study exists, either way. Other than perhaps the results of private of schools and inner-city mothers tendency to try their damndest to send their kids to a private cathloic school rather than the public schools. Of course I'm sure they do that for no reason at all.


Because no study exist we have nothing else than our experiences. Private schools are usually better than public schools whether their students wear uniforms or not. They are not comparable. In that case we could also see the PISA results. Finnish students, without uniforms, did better than anyone else. Maybe those inner-city mothers should start sending their kids to Finland... ;) But PISA results do not tell anything about the merits of the uniforms either.

This is IMO battle. IMO.

:rolleyes: Come back when you can take into account that most do.

I don't know about your country. No catholic schools in my country require uniforms.

I don't know about your country. No catholic schools in my country require uniforms.

Granted the link is BBC so its the UK. Though St Mary and St Joseph's Catholic School disagrees.
http://www.bexley.gov.uk/service/schools/secondary/stmarystjoseph.html

Uniform

Uniform is worn by all students - black blazers and maroon sweatshirts. A full uniform list can be obtained from the school.


Because no study exist we have nothing else than our experiences. Private schools are usually better than public schools whether their students wear uniforms or not. They are not comparable. In that case we could also see the PISA results. Finnish students, without uniforms, did better than anyone else. Maybe those inner-city mothers should start sending their kids to Finland... But PISA results do not tell anything about the merits of the uniforms either.

This is IMO battle. IMO.

Screw PISA. It also says that Germany has one of the worst education system (but graduates the highest caliber students) because it lets the dumb kids fail. Or thats what I got from it anyway. My understanding of German isn't exactly top notch and we read the German version in German class.

Screw PISA. It also says that Germany has one of the worst education system (but graduates the highest caliber students) because it lets the dumb kids fail. Or thats what I got from it anyway. My understanding of German isn't exactly top notch and we read the German version in German class.
Could be true. Finland was successful because the worst Finns did much better than the worst from other countries. Anyway, I was just using it as an example. It has nothing to do with uniforms.

edit...hmmm..pretty interesting. Finland did well and Germany did badly but the reasons were the same? There's something odd...

Screw PISA. It also says that Germany has one of the worst education system (but graduates the highest caliber students) because it lets the dumb kids fail. Or thats what I got from it anyway. My understanding of German isn't exactly top notch and we read the German version in German class.

Actually, what PISA critisised about the German school system is that it WON'T let the dumb kids fail, on the expense of the smart kids.
I am originally from Germany and I honestly have to tell you, it's true to some extend. There were some kids in my class who were pushed through school by their parents (and consequently university as well) who didn't have the mental capacity and got through on pure memory. They never understood half of what they memorised, but got good grades in the end, only to forget it all in a matter of weeks.
Germany seriously needs to reconsider its education system, and I'm not talking about school uniforms this time.

ok, we had less "bad" students than anyone else. (6%) I'll try to find the results for other countries too.

Average seems to be about 15%

IMHO (as was pointed out earlier no studies exist, so I have to go by opinion :rolleyes: ) school uniforms are a good idea, but have to be backed up with good teachers.
When I was at school, all the schools I went to, be it Infant, Junior or Secondary, had school uniforms, and as far as I know they still do.
Uniforms aren't that expensive, so most people can afford them relatively easily. I think the most expensive part was the blazer when I was at Secondary school, and that cost about £25-30 at the time, but would last 1-2 yrs, so it wasn't that bad.
As far as 'school spirit' was concerned, it wasn't bad. It was made easier because there were other schools in the area so we competed with them (damn Ridgeway gits :mad: lol!). The uniforms helped keep a sense of school unity and also helped the teachers maintain discipline, but it's not just uniforms, the teachers need to get involved. I saw a distinct change in the discipline when our deputy head retired and was replaced, at the same time there was a relaxation in the uniform rules, coincidence perhaps but...

I think that the idea of school uniforms promotes equality. I mean, its hardly good for self-esteem if one kid wears hideously over-priced polo shirts with leather shoes and jeans, while another kid wears stuff not off the top shelf. The idea of a uniform is so that everyone is uniform.

I think that the idea of school uniforms promotes equality. I mean, its hardly good for self-esteem if one kid wears hideously over-priced polo shirts with leather shoes and jeans, while another kid wears stuff not off the top shelf. The idea of a uniform is so that everyone is uniform.
But isn't equality like the worst thing ever? Sounds pretty much like socialism to me. (I'm not serious, just repeating things I've heard before)

I know that some kids were jealous of other's clothes (money) but most didn't care. Many even laughed at them because buying hideously over-priced clothes isn't that clever. I created my own style and didn't try to copy those wealthy kids. Never heard a single word about my clothes. (except the curious where did you find that...)

I think that the idea of school uniforms promotes equality. I mean, its hardly good for self-esteem if one kid wears hideously over-priced polo shirts with leather shoes and jeans, while another kid wears stuff not off the top shelf. The idea of a uniform is so that everyone is uniform.

I resent the idea that everybody is uniform. They aren't. Even students are individuals, and a uniform is not going to change that.
Personally, I think if a school is run in a good way, if the teachers are involved with their students and the school really cares about individual students, no school uniforms are needed. An atmosphere like that will result in disciplined students and a general sense of pride in their school as well as a certain identification with the school itself.
In some countries, school uniforms are already a tradition, and yet they have similar disciplinary problems as others who don't require school uniforms. Also, I don't really think that mothers will send their kids to private rather than public schools because those have uniforms. They do so because these schools follow the ideas I pointed out above.

Introducing school uniforms in schools with disciplinary problems is admitting pedagogical defeat.

There are a lot of sites both pro and against school uniforms. Pro sites seem to use studies which are not scientific. (e.g. there has been many changes in school, not only uniforms)

http://www.aprod.org/myths.htm

But isn't equality like the worst thing ever? Sounds pretty much like socialism to me. (I'm not serious, just repeating things I've heard before)

I know that some kids were jealous of other's clothes (money) but most didn't care. Many even laughed at them because buying hideously over-priced clothes isn't that clever. I created my own style and didn't try to copy those wealthy kids. Never heard a single word about my clothes. (except the curious where did you find that...)
Yeah right now being “different” is in vogue … a plethora of teen close come from stuff that should be thrown out :p


Its been four year’s sense I have been in high school but I don’t think things have changed THAT much … at the time it was all about just making sure your cloths fit not about what they were really (and that’s not really something that changes with wearing a uniform)

I see the merits of school uniform, but not in fascist enforcement of ridiculous extremes like this. My old school banned denim because they said it was a "health and safety hazard", they never elaborated. They also banned tops with hoods, and jackets with high collars. You would be sent home if you wore too much red, as it was claimed it "disrupted pupils."

My school doesnt waste time giving reasons. 'Its been like this since 1806, so why should we stop now?', is probably waht they say.

I actually don't mind wearing uniforms, it means i don't have to pick clothes when I've just woken up at 6:50AM and can hardly speak.

My school doesnt waste time giving reasons. 'Its been like this since 1806, so why should we stop now?', is probably waht they say.

I actually don't mind wearing uniforms, it means i don't have to pick clothes when I've just woken up at 6:50AM and can hardly speak.
Most of us did not “pick cloths” either

It was “well there is a clean pair of jeans and that is a clean t-shirt … ready to GO!”

Most of us did not “pick cloths” either

It was “well there is a clean pair of jeans and that is a clean t-shirt … ready to GO!”
And that's what I've been doing ever since :)

And that's what I've been doing ever since :)
Me as well … change jeans to khaki’s (when working) and t-shirt to polo shirt and it is the same routine :)

Most of us did not “pick cloths” either

It was “well there is a clean pair of jeans and that is a clean t-shirt … ready to GO!”

Are there really people who find it a problem to decide what to wear in the morning???
Interesting... so, what do they do if they get a job that doesn't require them to wear a uniform? Or do they all join the army?

Are there really people who find it a problem to decide what to wear in the morning???
Interesting... so, what do they do if they get a job that doesn't require them to wear a uniform? Or do they all join the army?
Every now and then you can hear me saying something like "I have no shirts!" when I'm looking at 15 different shirts...yet I'd say that I'm a damn fast woman to get ready. It usually takes a lot longer for my boyfriend to get ready. (maybe because he's been in army and used to uniforms ;) )

Every now and then you can hear me saying something like "I have no shirts!" when I'm looking at 15 different shirts...yet I'd say that I'm a damn fast woman to get ready. It usually takes a lot longer for my boyfriend to get ready. (maybe because he's been in army and used to uniforms ;) )
Yeah every once and a while I want a specific shirt but its rare … I usually make sure things are pretty washed up so no biggie

For some odd reason, in the county where my wife works; the same people who complain that switching to school uniforms would "cost too much" are the same ones who buy their kids $200.00 sneakers 5 times a year.

The presentment at the beginning of this thread does nothing to the "uniform" issue; all it really is about is consistent application of the policy. I have no gripe agaisnt the schools policy in general, the fact that they choose a specific date to enforce a particular policy (when it had been ignored up to that point) is the problem.

In Henrico county, if a kid is not dressed properly, or wears something not in line with the school dress code, they are forced to change into their gym clothes for the remainder of the day, and their parents are contacted. If it happens too frequently, the kid received an AEP (in school suspention) and if it continues, they are removed from the school for the remainder of the year.

For all those who like to point out that school uniforms would help students, please take a look at the other extreme:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4608655.stm


Ok well this is extreme, it shouldn't have happened. I had a horrible primary school uniform(brown, yes a brown skirt, and a short sleeved green shrit and a brown cardi with green strips across the cuffs) tho we were allowed to wear what ever colour tights we wanted!!!
As uniforms go my secondary school uni was very nice. Skirt and jumper=royal blue, a blue and white pin stipped shirt(kinda like the ralph lauren ones that you see) with a v neck collar so no tie. We could only wear black or nazy tights and black shoes. When I was there the coats were awful. Back inthe 80's the girls were allowed design their own jackets. The after I left tho they brought in really lovely douglas gill type jackets(I'm not a label freak just trying to describe my wonderful uniform).

And while now in college I would hate to have to wear a uniform again, they are there for a reason. You are part of a school, clubs wear uniforms so to should schools. Bullying does come into it too. Non- uniform days were stopped in my school because the first years were bitching about other girls who didn't have the 'latest' fashionable clothes.

School uniforms are great, econimcally they're good value. In total all parts of my uniform over a period of 6 years cost probably about E600-this includes 2 skirts-6 jumpers, 8 shirts, 1 coat, 1 blazer, a school t shirt and a track suit.

Since I started college 2 years ago I think I have easily spent beween E2-3000 on clothes-admittedly I do have a shoe fettish but between buying coats, jackets, jumpers, tshirts, trackies, shirts,jeans, pants cardigans and going out clothes I have spent loads. I didn't have to in school

No replies on how I don;t need all those clothes-I do! :p