Figure 1.--School uniforms were initially worn at private schools. They became widely accepted at state schools after World War II. The debate over school uniform includes issue associated with both private and state schools. Note at this prep school, the school allowed the children to wear comparable items from the chain stores rather than the official gear. |
School uniforms in many ways originated in England and in few other countries have they been so commonly worn. They were initually used at private schools and came to be seen as symbol of private education and exclusivity in education. These attitudes began to change after World War II. In many other European countries, school uniforms have never been worn. Yet even in England, the merits of school uniforms as well as appropritate sizes and regulations have been extensively discussed. Some object to uniforms while others fell they play a valuable role. School uniforms have been more associated with private than state schools, but they concern both. School uniforms are still widely worn in England, but the issue of school uniforms has become more intensely discussed in recent years. We note recent charges that uniforms requirements have been used to keep poor children out of some state schools.
School uniforms in many ways originated in England and in few other countries have they been so commonly worn. They were initually used at private schools and came to be seen as symbol of private education and exclusivity in education. These attitudes began to change after World War II. Schools around the world have taken many different approaches to the dress of school children. Some countries have national polices. Others have no policies at all. Some countries (Japan) have put children in military uniforms. Other countries (America) have until recently steadfastly opposed school uniforms. Where ever school uniforms have been employed, they have proven surprisingly controversial. Often the same arguments are used by both sides of the debate, such as cost. In some countries (France) school uniforms have been used to reduce class differences. In other countries (England) school uniforms were used to identify boys as members as a privlidged eliete. Now the debate has spread to America, where uniforms have traditionally been resisted. Many Americans are beginning to see the school uniform as one way of addressing the probems of public education, especially the lack of discipline and even violence. Despite the differences, many of the same arguments are used in the debate over school uniforms. Yet even in England, the merits of school uniforms as well as appropritate sizes and regulations have been extensively discussed. Some object to uniforms while others fell they play a valuable role. School uniforms have been more associated with private than state schools, but they concern both. School uniforms are still widely worn in England, but the issue of school uniforms has become more intensely discussed in recent years.We note recent charges that uniforms requirements have been used to keep poor children out of some state schools.
Pupils at Trinity Catholic Technology College in Royal Leamington Spa on October 10, 2001, reportedly boycotted their first lesson in protest over the school's introduction of a uniform. The pupils were surveyed in 2000 and voted overwhelmingly to retain the existing dress code allowing them to wear their everyday dress. The school govenors, however, sent parents a letter informing them that a school uniform would be compulsory for the new school year in September. One of the protestors, a 15-year-old girl told ICN: "They will destroy the wonderful atmosphere of our school. They will take away our individualism if this goes ahead." Another pupil said: "They are just riding roughshod over the views of everybody--parents, pupils and staff. When they asked us last May whether we wanted uniforms most people said no. Quite a few parents agree with this protest." In an interview with the BBC, head teacher Catherine Fields said the school governors took the decision a fortnight
ago. She said a lot of the clothes that pupils wore were not suitable for school. She added that she did not believe that a uniform suppressed anyone's individuality.
One education journalist reported charges that some state primary schools were establishing uniform requirements in an effort to prevent poor parents from enrolling their children. The charge was made by Chris Waterman, chief executive
of ConfEd, which represents a local authority. The charge is that by requiring expensive uniforms from specialist shops as well as school fund contributions and music lesson fees, schools discourage poor parents from "unashamedly" attempting to seek places. English school authorities give an annual test to rank pupil achievenment. The resulting scores are referred to as the "league tables". Waterman charges that some schools artificially raise their scores by keeping the number of poor children low. Waterman charges that the primary schools are now using the same tactic that he maintains the secondary schools have used for some time. The major charge seems to be the use of a costly, distinctive uniform rather than the less expensive items available from the chain stores. Here it is difficult to assess the validity of the study. Unfortunately the journalist reporting the Waterman report only describes the charges without any attempt to assess them. We note that many private prep schools did not really object if the children wore items from the chain stores rather than the official school items. We do not know if state primary schools were really as strict as suggested in the report. Many issues concerning education and schools have become highly politicized in England and thus without seeing the actual report, it is difficult to tell if the report is ballanced and valid or an ideological attack on standards. The report also charges that open days or used to scare off low-income prospective parents by stressing fees expected like school fund contributions and music lesson fees. Waterman in his report charges, "Add these elements together, which some schools seem unashamedly to do, and it is all too apparent that education that is free at the point of delivery can actually mean quite expensive at the point of delivery. Waterman charges that these tactics are used to ensure that middle-class children will dominate at successful primary schools at the expense of low-income children. Waterman believes that England will have an admissions crisis where children will benefit frpm parents who know how to play the admissions game. Waterman is worried about a Governments White Paper to allow 24,000 schools to control their own admissions. Waterman also criticises schools associated with churches (called faith schools in England) for excluding low-income children. I think he is referring to Anglican schools here. His evidence here appears to be the fact that the schools have relatively small numbers of children eligible for free school meals. This sounds to us as an ideological assault. He does not mention that Anglicans have higher than average incomes. The difference would seem to result from social trends rather than any effort to exclude low-income children. Waterman in an earlier report charged that that secondary schools were using parental interviews to select children with middle-class backgrounds.
The Waterman study followed an Independent survey which found that 100,000 parents did not gain admission for their children to their first-choice secondary
school in 2005. Here we do not know quite how to assess this finding. Actually 100,000 does not seem like a huge figure for a country the size of England, but we are not sure. The Government is considering a code of practices for school admissions. [Cassidy] This seems like an appropriate step if admisions are turned ove to schools rather than based on a catchement area.
Cassidy, Sarah. (Education Correspondent) "Schools use expensive uniforms to deter poor" The Independent & The Independent on Sunday (November 7, 2005).
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