Abolish school uniform and let kids ‘find their own style’ peer urges ministers

ABOLISH school uniforms and let kids “find their own style”, a peer has urged ministers. The House of Lords yesterday debated a proposed new law to make uniforms more affordable. But the Earl of Clancarty said: “Better still, get rid of school ­uniforms. “They’re an outmoded idea, ultimately a repressive aspect of the educational system […]

ABOLISH school uniforms and let kids “find their own style”, a peer has urged ministers.

The House of Lords yesterday debated a proposed new law to make uniforms more affordable.

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A peer has urged ministers to scrap school uniforms[/caption]

ROGER HARRIS

The Earl of Clancarty claims uniforms are an outmoded idea and are ‘designed to keep children in line’[/caption]

But the Earl of Clancarty said: “Better still, get rid of school ­uniforms.

“They’re an outmoded idea, ultimately a repressive aspect of the educational system itself, designed to keep children in line.”

The independent cross-bench peer said his 16-year-old daughter’s school has a no-uniform policy.

He quoted her saying: “Thank God I don’t have to wear a school uniform. I wouldn’t be able to express myself every day.”

The peer added of school: “It is the right place for teenagers in particular to test out what to wear and find their own style.”

But Lib Dem Lord Storey, a former teacher, recalled working in a school without uniforms.

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Lib Dem Lord Storey says without uniforms, ‘those who can’t afford the latest gear are name-called and bullied’[/caption]

He said: “This created great upset among pupils. And those who couldn’t afford the latest ‘gear’, as they called it, often were name-called and bullied.”

The new Bill would see branded items limited.

Education minister Baroness Berridge said guidance may be issued to schools in the autumn.

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