Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing both a student (Madeleine Rac) and a head of year (Libby Povey) from a local school, in regard to the topic of school uniform, how important it truly is and to investigate if the stereotype that students and teachers disagree on matters that involve school life and community is true. 

Why should students wear school uniform?

Madeleine: I think everyone should wear school uniform as it keeps the school looking neat and tidy, but I think we should be allowed mufti in order to let people express themselves.

Libby: There’s a couple of reasons, because it shows you are a part of that school community, you take pride in your appearance and because you want to show off the school that you belong to and work hard for. But the other thing is that it takes away pressure from young people, because they have to all wear the same thing from the same place, and it takes away the risk of some people showing off with lots of money and labels, and the pressure that could put on people that don’t have as much money.

In your opinion, how important is school uniform?

Madeleine: I think school uniform is very important especially as there would be no problems with people who couldn’t afford to dress the way they wanted for school.

Libby: I think- without it being too obvious- its one of the most important things about school life and school community because it identifies you as part of that school and it should be worn with pride, it also makes you safe because if a member of the public sees you, they know exactly where to go, you’re identifiable through it. but mainly it’s because you wear it with pride.

For those who can’t particularly afford it, do you think school uniform is a waste of money and why?

Libby: Absolutely not because, again, it allows students to participate in school life and then it takes away the difference of wealth etcetera, and you know that we have a way of funding people that can’t afford the school uniform, so students will always be provided with school uniform.

Madeleine: I think school uniform should definitely be free for families who struggle with money. Especially if they have trouble paying for basic necessities because of how expensive the school uniform can be.

Do you think that school uniform can damage the ways that students express themselves?

Madeleine: I think school uniform is reasonably restrictive when students want to express themselves. Especially with rules on jewellery etc becoming stricter, restricting individuality all together as the only things you can really use to express yourself is your hair but for people who wear hijabs etc that makes it even harder.

Libby: No, because I think that actually students find different ways of expressing themselves, through everyone wearing the uniform. As long as they follow the rules, they might wear it slightly differently. You get to choose the shoes you wear; you get to choose the way you have your hair; you get to choose jewellery. Things like that. There is certain ways: you can put badges on your school uniform, that’s not forbidden. But it allows you enough identity, enough individuality to express your identity. But also, not allowing everyone to go off and do what you want because you get that when you go to college.

Is it ever acceptable to break the school uniform codes? For instance, the uniform making a student uncomfortable or making a student feel unsafe.

Madeleine: I think school uniform is in place for a reason however there should be some relaxation for insecurities etc to make students feel comfortable in a school environment.

Libby: Well in our school, we treat everyone as individuals, so if a student is feeling unsafe or uncomfortable, would like to amend the uniform so that they can get through their day and learn a bit easier. They just need to come talk to us, and we can adapt that, and we can make reasonable adjustments.

In conclusion, school uniform seems to be valued by both teachers and students alike, supporting the opinion that school uniform helps provide a sense of togetherness and support for the school community and it can help students take pride in their school and their education.