The Lighter Side of Life with Kate Mason: Scrap the education - it’s all about the school uniform
I’d made the mistake of forgetting my plimsolls on one occasion (you know the ones with the attractive rubber toe) and the repercussions were catastrophic.
I had presumed I would simply watch my classmates from the sideline on this occasion but, oh no, thanks to the mothballed, sweat-ridden box of decaying garments of lost property the “I’ve forgotten my kit, Sir” was an excuse that never worked.
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Hide AdI suppose the fear of dressing up in garments hundreds of other kids had perspired in and wiped snot on, that were washed maybe once a term, served as a stark reminder to bring your own. But now it seems the uniform policy in schools is costing pupils a lot more than just their street cred.
A uniform misdemeanour in my day resulted in a disapproving ticking-off from the teacher, in extreme cases a detention or worst case scenario the dreaded “I’m not angry I’m just disappointed” speech.
But fast forward a few years and it seems many young transgressors face suspensions, isolation and even expulsion for not being suitably suited and booted.
I fully understand the importance of a school uniform and the need for pupils to fall in line.
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Hide AdAside from representing the school and looking smart I do support the use of uniforms to break down class barriers and eliminate bullying, so you don’t have a Prada Vs Primark situation in the playground.
But when you’ve got straight-A students being sent home for wearing lace-up shoes instead of slip ons it just seems petty.
The debate surrounding the Draconian enforcement of the school uniform reached fever pitch last week when a 15-year-old girl was sent home from a school in Stoke-on-Trent because her trousers were too tight.
As if girls haven’t got enough insecurities at that age without teachers fuelling the fire.
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Hide AdThe worst thing about that particular scenario was the teenager in question was only wearing trousers because the school had placed a blanket ban on skirts because it was a “distraction” for male members of staff.
Maybe some schools should focus more on pupil achievement and league table results than fashion choices.