Should Schools Require Uniforms?

Benedek interviews college student Molly Purcell.

According to YouGov, a British polling agency, 67 percent of British people believe that schools should require students to wear uniforms. In recent years, however, dress codes have become more relaxed in the workplace. With many adults dressing casually for the office, people are questioning whether the tradition of school uniforms in the United Kingdom is too rigid.

Some schools allow students to wear what they want. But most students are required to wear blazers, ties, button-down shirts, and trousers, or skirts and black socks and shoes.

I spoke with Andrew Whiteley, the Lower College head at Hockerill Anglo-European College, which I attend. He said that British tradition dictates a formal dress code for most students, starting from a young age. This goes for both independent (private) and state (public) schools.

Benedek (left) with a classmate at Hockerill Anglo-European College, an independent school for boys and girls in the United Kingdom

INDIVIDUALITY VERSUS BELONGING

Some people argue against requiring uniforms. They say that unforms are expensive and discourage individuality.

“It’s good to be independent,” university student Molly Purcell said in a recent video interview. When she was growing up, she found that “wearing your own clothes made everyone feel a bit more individual.”

Several students at my school expressed a different view. They like to wear uniforms. According to Alvin Oakley, 11, “uniforms make students look really smart.”

Anton Trusty, 13, agreed. He said that “uniforms show we belong.” Jazz Harper, 11, observed that “uniforms are something you can wear with pride.”

What do you think? Should uniforms be required for all students, no matter where you live?