School uniforms have been around in England since 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced a robe outfit for students. Since then, school uniforms have been the pride or bane of schools across the UK – with policies ranging from really relaxed to super strict.
The purpose of school uniform
Despite a seemingly worldwide trend for individuality of style at the moment, there is a strong argument for school uniform, outside of identifying yourself as part of a school or college. Regardless of how wealthy a student’s family is, uniform provides a platform for equality.
School uniform today
Despite the unity that wearing a school uniform creates, there seems to be a growing number of instances of schools sending children home for not complying with their uniform policies.
An example of this is where a school in Exeter had a ‘no shorts’ policy. In the summer heat, boys were forced to wear trousers and, in reaction, a group of students began wearing skirts to school. After consulting students and their parents, the school subsequently decided to allow shorts.
Gender neutral school uniforms
This poses the question of whether gender neutral uniforms are the way forward.
This would mean that both boys and girls can wear skirts or trousers to school, or the uniform could be based around a unisex uniform for all, such as allowing only trousers and shorts. One retailer who has embraced this idea so far is John Lewis, going gender-neutral in their children’s clothing department.
According to research by a LGBT charity, primary schools in particular are adopting gender-neutral uniforms faster than any other age group. There are now more than 120 schools in the UK that have a gender-neutral uniform policy.
Hoodies as part of school uniform
Hoodies are completely gender-neutral and can be personalised as little or as much as schools require. We supply schools across the UK with embroidered emblem hoodies, which perfectly match their existing school uniform, allowing them to provide a comfortable, gender-neutral item of clothing to all pupils. For more information and to view the large range of hoodies available, visit www.leavershoodiescompany.co.uk.
