School uniforms - for or against?

I’m very much in favour, for all the reasons given by others. And I think the stigma of wearing second hand is much less a thing these days as even the more well off buy and sell on Facebook Marketplace, etc.

As a child I went to lots of schools (10 in all) and although most were state funded, on only one occasion can I ever remember being aware of the relative wealth of child and beyond realising that this girl had free meals, I didn't really think about it and I can never remember the relative poverty or wealth of families ever being something that we children ever talked about or noticed.

As for uniforms, I wore them and like most children in school uniform I made a habit of subverting their purpose, hitching my skirts up, or in my particular case, having lots of visible repairs. I was an army brat and at 11 went to boarding school, we had a strange head teacher always preaching about to monetary sacrifices our parents made for us, which was ridiculous, as most of us were army brats and the Minstry of Defence paid our fees. Anyway, I made a habit of making it clear that my uniform had lots of repairs because I was conscious of the sacrifices my parents were making. It really irritated the head teacher, which was my aim.

At my children's primary school they did not have uniform, but they had rules. It was the 1970s and trainers, jeans and T shirts with pictures or slogans were banned.

As children grow up and leave school, they need to learn that in the adult world, you need to know how to dress for the occasion. Different jobs require different clothes and the same applies away from work. The best way to learn this is by understanding what are appropriate clothes for school and not just mindlessly putting on a uniform and then subverting it.

I cannot remember at any school I went to, nor any my children went to where any other than a very few, took pride in their uniform. Most hated being labeled by their uniform, advertising which school they went to and took it off the moment they got home.

As for being 'good' for children. If children get labelled for being poor or whatever, the fault lies withtheir arents who brought them up to think poor people should be sneered at.

I wore homemade and secondhand uniforms.
However, my 3 DDs didn’t and I think a lot more time and money was spent on what to wear. No way could I spend as much as others on my girls clothes.
When I worked in schools some children felt uncomfortable with what they wore because it was either a hand me down or not in the latest fashion.

I loathed my own school uniform but was relieved when DD started school after nursery and went into uniform. I was sick and tired of the arguments over what she would wear. DS was at private school and most of his uniform came from the second hand sales. I would send him to school with the cash and tell him to ask one of the mum’s in charge to find him what he needed. None of the boys seemed to care about being smart.

I believe in secondary school age children wearing school uniform, but I think this idea of having to go to a selected school supplier isn't fair. When you can buy the equivalent items from other sources at lower prices it makes it easier for lower income families to compete.
We were lucky in that I didn't grow very much at school so the skirt that we bought when I was 11 still fitted me when I was in the fifth year (age 15/16). ! And I also bought a skirt in a jumble sale that was suitable for school Cardigans and jumpers were knitted for me by Mum and grandmother.
There were always second hand uniforms available through the school for those less well off.

Uniform definitely but agree should be more generic.

I loved school uniform, but often mine was old and blazer threadbare and I felt awful. However non uniform days were a nightmare.
Yes, there may still be a difference, but would be much worse if pupils wore their own clothes.

I'm also in favour of school uniforms. However, the schools that demand children wear specific brands do little to help the less well off families.
My siblings and I all wore uniforms at grammar schools, provided they were of the correct colour it didn't matter where the clothes were purchased. My summer uniform consisted of a cotton dirndl skirt - quite expensive to buy but cheap as chips to make and my Mum made several for my school friends as well as for me. It was the same for my sister, different school and different colours but all garments were available from a range of outfitters.
I thinks it's disgraceful for some schools to demand that children have a specific style of sports sock embroidered with the school logo - for goodness sake, the pressure on low income families is enormous.

A vote for uniforms from me too. My GM bought my first Grammar School uniform as a reward for passing the 11+. I was proud to wear it - it represented the school and we knew any ‘problems’ in the City would be reported back if it was thought the school was involved.
My DD’s first school had a fortnightly second hand uniform sale and another Mum approached me to ask if she could buy both Winter duffle coats when they were leaving. Their senior school had a similar set up and we parents donated grown out of clothing. It was all in good condition as it was good quality, expensive and well cared for. Thankfully by then most Supermarkets and M&S were selling basic stuff, so only certain items to be bought from named suppliers. I will be buying DGS1’s uniform to start his first school in September and as far as we know only the jumper has to be purchased from a specific retailer.

Hope 'photographs' is more obvious than my machine allowed it to be. I don't usually put in corrections as they're mostly pretty obvious. Talk about a mind of it's own!

Having taught in city comprehensives, where unrestricted access raises problems of safeguarding, it might be worth bearing security in mind.
Confronted by a teenager or young adult on a school site you know that if they are not in uniform they are not part of the school . Legitimate visitors will have reported to Reception and be given a visitor’s badge or lanyard.

I'm completely out of touch with all of this pricewise. I do know my GC have a uniform but it rather seems they can mix and match at will. I used to underwrite the shoes each year but now they've simply opted for trainers. Don't remember much of an enforcement in my own primary school but I looked back at phosphorus and there was an attempt at it there. I was fiercely proud of my secondary school and delighted to wear my uniform even though there was no choice in the matter. Once recollect a couple of rebel girls deciding to test the system by turning up in luminous socks (hideous but absolutely top fashion) and they were sent home immediately. For the record, I was from an impoverished area. I seem to remember my Mum had a 'club card' which she paid something like ten shillings a week into and my uniform needs were met out of that.

I am very much for it. My daughter can buy my Grandsons uniform from Supermarkets. He is in primary School.
I also think it instills a sense of pride. I remember my son doing a Queen song with his School Choir. I remember these young boys all from different backgrounds, all looking immaculate in their uniforms, and the sense of pride they felt as they sung their hearts out. One of the few times I had tears in my eyes.

In in favour of school uniforms. I am from a low income background and would not have had many other clothes so that would have been.

Totally in favour of uniforms but dd is going to secondary school in September and uniform will cost in excess of £300. Everything has to be purchased from their supplier with their badge and house badges...including pe kit. Its unnecessary

I'm all for uniforms, second hand or new. Keeps children equal, no kids wearing designer gear. My daughter went to a private school and sometimes had uniform shop seconds

I hold strong views that uniforms are very good for children so I m polar opposite to you biglouis

I was not from a well off family and had handmade or second hand uniforms but I don’t remember it ever causing me too much trouble I was proud of my uniform and although we all hated parts of it looking back now I m very glad I had one and indeed I think it brought us more together to have a moan about the hats or length of skirt

I would have shown my ‘class’ much more if I d have been wearing home clothes

However I agree that uniforms should be more generic with just one item with a badge or logo on it

My children wore school uniform and all my grandkids (five overseas 2 different countries and 2 in U.K.) have too and indeed I don’t know of any schools that don’t use school uniform certainly none round here

I think it levels kids, gives you proud in your school, keeps your home clothes from wearing out and gives you a shared identity

So I m a ??