Star readers have say on whether Sheffield school pupils should be forced to wear uniforms
School uniforms are often a divisive subject, but are they a good idea?
Pick whichever mid-week day you like, and you’ll often see lots of smartly dressed youngsters making their commute to and from school in the morning or afternoon, whether that’s on the bus, at the train station or out and about in the city centre.
Many of them are wearing jumpers, blazers, shirts and ties. But there’s always that one child in most schools that gets caught out, whether that’s for incorrect footwear, forgetting their tie or simply not tucking their shirt in, with that at times resulting in a telling off, a detention or in extreme cases exclusion.
For teachers it’s important to make sure that students are adhering to the correct dress code, and while some would argue it’s important to help prepare students for the world of work, others argue that it does nothing to help them get good grades or prevent them from causing trouble during school time.
With that in mind, we asked our readers at The Star to share their thoughts on whether or not school uniforms are a good idea.
Lorraine Wilson agreed with the idea of uniforms, claiming that they are there to prevent bullying and take the focus away from trying to look fashionable.
She said: “School uniforms are good as all the kids are dressed the same way. There’s no bullying or peer pressure over having to buy designer clothes. I believe a uniform gives school children a sense of unity, pride and belonging.”
Adam Adz shares this viewpoint but does question the cost side of school uniforms. He added: “Yes. But it shouldn’t be for specific suppliers like custom blazers. It should be simply colour coordination that parents can buy from anywhere that’s not extortionately priced.”
Tracy Shaw said: “Yes, but they should be affordable. It saves money on competing with designer labels.”
However, others believe that school uniforms are unnecessary especially in warmer conditions when kids are made to wear jumpers and blazers.
Lucy-Anne Hayes said: “No when it comes to warm weather and they’re still being made to wear blazers and jumpers.”
Andrea Hawes-Johnson added: “My children are at a school which doesn’t have a uniform policy. They have never asked for designer clothes.
“My daughter went to the Y11 prom last year in a dress she made from a skirt and a top she got in the charity shop for £10. Nobody made fun of her for it, she got loads of compliments. And when it’s hot weather, the school send out reminders to children to dress in light-coloured loose clothing, instead of dictating that they can’t take their blazer off in the heat.”
Akanksha Prakash-Kay argues that having a uniform policy simplifies the morning routine for parents helping the kids to get to school on time. She said: “ Yes definitely it removes socio economic disparity and simplifies morning routines - can you imagine the drama without uniforms?”
Sue Wright said: “No uniforms are not necessary for a good education.”
John Ellison agrees with school uniforms as long as they remain affordable. This comes amid growing concerns about the prices of uniforms that were addressed by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, who is LibDem spokesperson on education in the House of Lords.
John explained: “Yes, but they should be unbranded and cheap as chips from many stores.”
Beverley Busfield said: “Yes there should be school uniforms, but I think it should be a polo shirt and a jumper and not blazers and ties.”
Caroline Willgoose Ne-Turner added: “I think it should be changed to sports wear so that it’s more comfortable for the kids. They should get rid of petty rules like kids wearing a tie, wrong shoes or making them wear blazers in hot classrooms.”
Kath Price said: “Yes to school uniforms so that kids don’t follow fashion trends that parents can’t afford.”
Rachel Green said: “Yes they should have school uniforms. They are not a fashion show, and the kids need to be dressed practically and appropriately so that they are ready for business with nothing distracting them.”