English School Uniform: The 2000s


Figure 1.--Quite a number of English schools in the 1990s and 2000s adopted the American baseball cap, like these boys here. Also notice their colored polo shirts. A reader sent this image to us thinking it was British. An English reader tells us that it probanly is not English.

Many English primary schools have increasingly casual uniforms. Even prep schools have adopted the more casual styles, but some continue to have traditional uniforms. One teacher reports in 2000 that in the school that he works it has been interesting to note that there has been a slight rise in the number of older students wearing grey shorts during the summer. Ties have been replaced by the more casual use of school emblem sweatshirts and polo shirts. Traditional traditional black school shoes are slowly being replaced by black trainers. Baseball caps are increasingly worn as a safeguard from the dangers of the sun. The school uniform debate continues in England. Those that favor uniforms seem to be in the clear accendancy. The Governent in 2004 came oit with a school plan encouraging all secondary schools to adopt uniforms. Many state secondary schools still had uniforms with ties and black blazers. Virtually all private scghools have uniforms.

Prevalence

School uniforms are still commonly worn in England, although there has been increasing public debate on the topic. Interesting as school uniforms begin to be more popular in America, the opposite appears to be the case in England.

Casual Styles

While commonly worn, school uniforms are much more casual than in previous years. Boys at many schools do not wear ties. Sweatshirts which are worn without tgies, have replaced sweaters in many schools. One reader reports seeing traditional grey school shorts carried by major retailers in sizes up to 13 and 14 years. Another reader reports that boys this age do not commonly wear traditional grey school shorts, boys are getting bigger and probably sizes are getting smaller. He indicates that "There are not many 14 year olds I know who could fit into a pair of M&S age 14 school shorts. In any case, it is rare for even 11 year olds dressed neatly in traditional school shorts. Actually during the summer, boys at some schools, even secondary schools, have indicated a desire to wear shorts--especially casual shorts. One reader comments, "Who knows perhaps we will see secondary schoolboys in shorts again before long, which would be ironic as this would undoubtedly be due to the relaxation of school uniform rules!"

Traditional Styles

A reader writes in 2007, "Here in England there is a big trend away from sweatshirts and back to regular shirts, pullovers and blazers. All of the schools in my area have reverted back over the past 2 years." Abnother reader writes, "Many schools are now using uniforms as a major part of their corporate branding and marketing as parental choice is widened. The result being an emphasis on the traditional as parents who are fed up with government meddling and perceived low standards look for schools with good discipline and standards as well as examination results, extra-curricular activities etc. Image counting highly on what is looked for."

Garments

Many English primary schools have increasingly casual uniforms. Even prep schools have adopted the more casual styles, but some continue to have traditional uniforms. One teacher reports in 2000 that in the school that he works it has been interesting to note that there has been a slight rise in the number of older students wearing grey shorts during the summer. Ties have been replaced by the more casual use of school emblem sweatshirts and polo shirts. Traditional and traditional black school shoes are slowly being replaced by black trainers. Baseball caps are increasingly worn as a safeguard from the dangers of the sun. Almost every pupil now wears white socks where as not so long ago boys would object, considering them girlish! An English reader writes, "I see a lot of primary school uniforjms nowadays. The school garments wirn vary quite a bit. Many have caps (Baseball caos), sweatshirts rather than sweaters, and bookbags. Some have cardigans for the girls. Some allow the girls to choose long trouserscrather than skirts. Some schools have short trousers for the boys. Often this is usuallyn optional. Many schools still have them as a seasonal choice,

School Uniform Debate

The school uniform debate continues in England. Those that favor uniforms seem to be in the clear accendancy. An fashion observer in 2004 reports Government schools proposals, "All secondary schools in England and Wales are being encouraged to have a uniform, and sort pupils into houses. This provides a skool with a chance to establish a new identity. The uniform should reflect the ethos of the school and the standards expected. Giving pupils, identity and pride in the school. Parents' teachers, governors etc now have an Opportunity to establish a new uniform." A British reader writes, "The fashion observer you mention is probably referring to the latest government proposals. You can read for yourself what it says about uniform in this Guardian" article. "The document says: "School uniforms help to define the ethos of a school and the standards expected. They help give pupils pride in their school and make them ambassadors for their school in the community." I have to tell you that this trend towards re-introducing uniforms has been going on for some time. Certainly since the early 1990's."

Children Attitudes

A british reader tells us about children's attitudes toward school uniforms. "I told you that the new primary school my younger brother went to after we moved in 1970 did not have a uniform. [HBC note: Bill has provided us a wonderful descriotion of his primary school and his little brother's primary school in the personal experiences section.] I found that odd - even though there had been non-uniform schools around my way when I first started at school (in the 1960's).I mean I found it odd that my mum would choose a non-uniform school for my little brother - she used to be so proud of the three of us when we were all dressed up for school when we lived at the old place!. Anyway - I noticed that a fair few years ago - 1995 or something like that - even this school had re-introduced (or rather introduced as they'd never had one. It was a new school serving the new housing estate we'd moved to) a school uniform. It is nothing like the one we'd worn of course. They have sweatshirts with the school name on it with grey trousers (for the girls as well!) and any type of shoes - normally trainers of course!. Schools which always had a uniform - like my old one - still carry on having one - no blazers now of course - they also have sweatshirts and no ties - except on special days, which still have the "white shirt" rule so kids today don't get off that either!. One thing I will tell you is that although we no longer had to wear caps after my third year at primary school (1967) many kids today do wear caps - in the form of "baseball caps". These are in the school colours with the logo on just like the sweatshirts!. Their bags also are in the school colours with a logo - so in this sense their uniforms are even stricter than ours were!. The thing is that these new uniforms seem to be for the sake of the school. (I'm talking about primary schools here you understand.) They are a way of "selling" them to parents a bit like the private sector do.That's because now parents can choose their children's primary school. In my day you went to the closest one - with the condition that religious affiliations would be taken into account. It seemed to me that the uniforms when we were kids were for the children. I told you :I used to like my primary school uniform (except for the tie!) and I used to be happy to wear it. The kids who have to wear these new uniforms seem to resent it - even though they are nothing compared to ours. We'd play in our uniforms after school - even if our mums would tell us to come home and get changed straight after school. Yet kids today don't need telling that - they're home and into casual clothes as soon as they can. Anyway - it will be interesting to see what happens with the "new" Government policy."

Changing After School

One indicator of what children think about their uniforms is what they d o when they arrive home from school. Some children change into play/casual clothes right away. Others can't be bothered. A British reader tells us, "The kids (of primary age) around where I live are in no rush to get changed out of uniform and now the better weather and lighter nights are here are usually out playing still in their uniforms until called in for tea or bed. Perhaps just different neighbourhoods but I've rarely noticed kids of that age in a mad rush to get changed unless they had to. Those that do get changed are invariably in sports kit of some sort; usually tracksuits or footy kit. It is less common to see senior kids still in uniform although its not uncommon. The paper boys are nearly always in uniform (or at least part or the remnants of it!); presumably as they don't want to waste time changing when they can get their rounds done earlier."

Types of Schools

Many state secondary schools still had uniforms, commonly ties and black blazers. Virtually all private scghools have uniforms.

Seasonality

A reader writes, "With the recent good weather one of my local secondary schools has reintroduced it's 'Summer policy' (more of an ad hoc relaxation of the uniform regs) of allowing boys the option to wear regular school uniform of trousers with shirt, tie and blazer or their PE (white gym or tennis) or Games (black rugby or hockey) shorts and clean trainers on hot days along with rolled sleeves and no tie. The Head won't allow a mix and match but apparently says pupils should be smart but comfortable and that this is in line with equality as the girls have the option of trousers or skirts throughout the year. I'm not sure if this is an extension from what has happened in previous years as I know on some days boys were allowed to attend in PE/Games kit or not required to change after sports. Appears quite popular as a number of the boys around here have taken advantage. The past three years have also seen nearly all the primary schools in the town permitting shorts to be worn by boys (parents choice)."






HBC





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Created: 5:58 AM 7/9/2004
Last updated: 7:47 PM 4/28/2007