Figure 1.--At this English grammar school, probably in the early 1970s, boys wearing shorts could wear open neck shirts, but boys wearing long trousers had to wear ties. Note that there does not appear to have been any rule about the socks. |
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Uniform regulations at English schools have varied over time and there have been substantial differences between schools. State primary schools until after World War II did not gernerally require uniforms, but boys usually wire short pants suits with a school cap--which seems to have been required. Private schools did commonly require uniforms, both preparatory schools and public (private secondary) schools. The uniform at these schools, especially before World War II could be quite elaborate and uniform regulations were often involvedf and strictly enforced. Most schools required a cap. Prep school boys generally wore blazers with short trousers and kmeesocks. Uniforms at the public schools were more diverse. The regulations at these schools provided by uniform destinctions based on age height, or form. In recent years the uniform has generally become less elaborate and formal and the regulations associated with it are usually less complicated than in earlier years.
Uniform regulations at English schools have varied over time. Uniform regulations during the first half of the 20th century were primarily an aspect of private education. This is because it was the private schools that had uniforms. State primary schools did not generally have uniorms. There may have been regulations about clothing, but we have few details about those requirements at this time. A relatively small number of children went on to secondary school after primary school. The schools like grammar (selective secondary) schools generally followed dress styles at the public schools. Major reforms passed during World war II were slowly implemented after the War. Gradually primary schools adopted simple uniforms. More children began attending state secondary schools after the War. The schools had uniforms and often vert struct uniform regulations. In recent years the uniform has generally become less elaborate and formal and the regulations associated with it are usually less complicated than in earlier years. Even so, most secondary scgools continue to require uniforms.
There have been substantial differences in uniform regulkations between schools. This is especially true between different types of chools, but even comaprable sdchools might have significant differences in uniform regulations.
Uniform conventions and rules varied significantly at different types of schools. State primary schools until after World War II did not gernerally require uniforms, but boys usually wore short trouser suits with a school cap--which seems to have been required. After World War II, many state primary schools began requiring uniforms, especially by the 1960s. State secondary schools did commonly require uniforms, especislly the grammar schools which commonly emulaste the public (private secondary) schools. The Anglican schools tended to be more strict about unifiorm than the regular state primaries. Private schools did commonly require uniforms, both preparatory schools and public schools. The uniform at these schools, especially before World War II could be quite elaborate and uniform regulations were often involvedf and strictly enforced. Most schools required a cap. Prep school boys generally wore blazers with short trousers and kmeesocks. Uniforms at the public schools were more diverse. Most private schools continue to require uniforms, but they tend to be less involved than before World War II.
The regulations at these schools provided by uniform destinctions based on age height, or form. The variations differed from school to sdchool. The most common variation was regulations that were based on class. Age was less common, but used at some schools. Height was the least common, but a few readers have mentioned rules based on height to us.
Many of the specific uniform regulations concerned specific garments. These regulations have varied over time and among schools. Some of the most contentious regulations concerned school caps and trousers. At many prep schools all the boys wore caps. At secondary schools, generally the junior boys wore caps, but this varied over time. Many prep schools and state elenentary schhools have required short ttousers as did some secondary schools--but usually just for the junior boys. Ties could vary substantially and were often used to reflect position in school or some kind of academic or athletic honor. Ties were optional at some schools, after World War II. Some schools allowed boys wearing shorts to wear open necked shorts while boys weating long trousers had to wear ties. Destinctions in the blazers such as piping or buttons could reflect status at the school. Some schools insisted on very specific colors and brand of school wear while other schools were willing to accept considerable differences in shade and material. While regulations on some garments were very specific, many schools allowed considerable variation in kneesocks. Some also allowed some variation in footwear.
English schools have generally required short hair cuts. As in America, this became a major bone of contention when longer hair vecame popular in the late 1960s and 70s. Eventually the state schools generally gave up and allowed long hair, but the private schools continued to insist on short hair cuts.
The actual school regulations are very useful sources of information about school uniform trends over time. Curiously while English boys in the 1970s at some schools were arguing to be allowed to wear long pants, some American boys were asking for the right to wear shorts. Not only has the style of the appropriate school trousers varied, but the schools have had various ways of determining who had to wear short pants as well as determining what the appopriate cut was. Schools have had various ways of assessing the proper length or who could wear longs. In most cases it was by grade or form, but in some cases by age or even height. Schools and students have also disagreed over the length of the shorts. Schools have had rules in some cases prohibiting to long or to short shorts or other details such as material.
An associated issue is how the schools go about enforcing the uniform code. Enforcement has varied over time. Also the parents reaction to the enforcement has like wise varied. Parents seem much less willing to back the school authorities than they once did. Here there are a variety of issues. One is just what the violations are. Another is just what action the schools take to eforce thoise regulations.
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