|
One of the most popular school activities were school trips, especially field trips to interesting sites. There were a variety of other activities for which trips were required. Many schools required the children to wear their dress uniform for field trips and other school trips. Of course the uniforms worn varied over time. This often meant caps and blazers at private schools. Caps began to decline in popularity in the 1960s, but blazers are still common. There also were differences depending on the type of school. Many primary schools did not have dress uniforms and blazers, so they were dressed less formally for school trips--mostly field trips. Primary children might wear suits through the early 1960s, but casual wear became more common in the 1960s. Increasingly boys would just wear their sweaters to such field trips with non-uniform jackets in cold weather. Private schools dressed more formally and had more trips. For lunch during many field trips, the children would have a little imprompto picnic. In addition to field trips, the children made trips for games with other schools. There were many other reasons for trips such as a variety of competitions, such as music competitions.
One of the most popular school activities were school trips, especially field trips to interesting sites. In England there are a wealth of such sites that make for great school trips. Not only are there world-class museums, but a wide range of fascinating castles, palaces, historic homes, Riman ruins, and much more. Some of the earliest museums are located in England. They range from the Victoria and Albert and British Museum to Kew Gardens, perhaps the greatest botanical gardens in the world. There are wonderful Roman ruins, such as Hadrian's wall. Within a few hours drive of anyehere in England there are a wide range of wondeful sites for field trips. Some of the most famous sites such as Hadrian's Wall require a trip length that make a day trip difficult. There were also a variety of other activities for which trips were required. In addition to field trips, the children made trips for games with other schools. There were many other reasons for trips such as a variety of competitions, such as music competitions. For lunch during many field trips, the children would have a little imprompto picnic.
Many schools required the children to wear their dress uniform for field trips and other school trips. The idea was to show the school in the best possibkle light. Many British parents and prospective clients jufge the school by what coukld be observed from the outside and the uniform was one of those easily observable matters. The children beginning their school trips were normally sent off smartly done up in their uniforms. As the trip progressed, the conditon of their get-up often steadily down hill. Some schools insisted the boys keep up appearances. But many of the teachers involved, just let the cildren enjoy themselves as long as they behaved properly. By the midday-lunch break, blazers and jumpers might be chucked off and shirt tails were often plapping. Many boys would have their kneesoicks fallen down like a classic William.
Our archive of school trip photographs is still limited. Thus we are just beginning to build a chronology. We are not sure when schools began to take field trips. We note photographs from the 1920s. We do not know if there were school field trips before thst time. Of course the uniforms worn varied over time. This often meant caps and blazers at private schools. Caps began to decline in popularity in the 1960s. An English reader tells us that at his Anglican primary school in the 60s that the children had to dress up for school trips. Blazers were still common in the 1980s, at least a private schools. We note schools with school trips where the children are more casually dressed in the 2000s. This may be weekend trips more than official school trips during the week.
There also were differences depending on the type of school. Many primary schools did not have dress uniforms and blazers, so they were dressed less formally for school trips--mostly field trips. Primary children might wear suits through the early 1960s, but casual wear became more common in the 1960s. Increasingly boys would just wear their sweaters to such field trips with non-uniform jackets in cold weather. Private schools dressed more formally and had more trips.
Some HBC readers recall their school field trips. One London schoolboy remembers his field trips in primary school during the 19060s, especially Kew Gardens and the Scienmce Museum.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main Chronology Page]
[The 1880s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main school uniform page]
[Main country page]
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer
[School sandals]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing School Uniform Pages
[Main School Uniform Page]
[Australia]
[England]
[France]
[Germany]
[Italy]
[Japan]
[New Zealand]
[Scotland]
[United States]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Page
[Return to the Main English school activities--traveling uniform page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossary]
[Satellite sites]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
