Which schools in the UK wear uniforms? Why and when was it introduced for the first time? Is the form today a relic of the past or a modern image? What is included in the standard set of things for a schoolchild?
Which British Schools Require Uniforms
Foreigners associate the school uniform of English-speaking children with films about prestigious boarding schools and other elite institutions. Ordinary schools are more often featured in American TV series and movies, where students go in a free style, because of this, some foreigners mistakenly believe that in England, children wear uniforms only in special schools.
In fact, almost 90% of English schools require students to wear a uniform. From private institutions to public ones, almost all children wear classic looks.
When and why was the uniform first introduced in schools in England?
The British school uniform first appeared between 1509 and 1547, when Henry VIII ruled Great Britain. For the first British uniform, blue was chosen, which was associated in the country with humility.
And the fabric of these shades was cheaper than other options.
A relic of the past or an actual idea: why do modern schools wear uniforms?
Centuries have passed, but the main meaning of wearing uniforms in schools has not changed: the British Ministry still believes that uniform standards and images in clothing contribute to discipline and good behavior of students.
An additional motive for relevance today is that the uniform equalizes students from families with different financial status, and this, in turn, has a positive effect on their adaptation to a new environment, reducing bullying and other troubles. This fact is confirmed by real research by British scientists who in 2017 studied a similar hypothesis and the correlation between factors.
Another meaning of school uniforms in the XXI century is the formation of a sense of unity. There is no single standard for all schools in the country, so each institution chooses its own colors and additional symbols. Because of this, students are like one big team that is connected by one school and a large educational family. The feeling of belonging to the group through visual symbols also has a positive effect on the comfort of children and adolescents.
What is included in the standard school uniform?
The classic wardrobe of a British schoolboy usually includes the following elements of clothing:
- Black shoes: boys have flat shoes, girls have small heels,
- Classic style shirt,
- Dress pants with long legs or skirts below/up to the knee (depending on gender and local school rules),
- Upper attributes: jackets, vests, sweaters, jumpers,
- Ties or neckerchiefs.
