No Uniform Opinion

For nearly 500 years, uniform has played a huge and, many say, vital role in the British 
education system.
 
An early example of uniform first being established is at Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham, West Sussex, when they took fatherless, poor children and educated them, giving them donated long, blue jackets as clothes to wear at school. 
 
 Whilst this example clearly displays the equality and discipline uniform has provided for centuries, do the new generation of uniform-wearers think the attire is still beneficial?
 
Wimbledon High School, in Southwest London, is one in the 90% of schools in the UK, that require students to wear a uniform.
 
By the book, a white shirt, navy School jumper, an appropriate length navy skirt or trousers and plain black school shoes are the uniform at Wimbledon High, with minimal jewellery and makeup.
 
However, on speaking to the students this seemingly conventional uniform is often altered and blatantly rebelled against, not to mention disliked by some.
 
Laura stated, “In all honesty, the skirt is actually very annoying. I yank it up. I roll it up… I mean it’s just more comfortable for me.” and Esin said “A lot of people roll up their skirts, but that’s ok. People should be able to express themselves.” 
 
This is a clear act of defiance against the school’s uniform policy, but when asked why she thinks people do this Esin confidently declared, “I think it’s a deliberate act of rebellion. Due to our uniform being very limited, it drives people to roll up their skirts and wear extra jewellery and just not wear appropriate uniform. I think if the rules were less strict, they wouldn’t be broken to such a great extent.”
 
This pushed me to ask the Wimbledon High girls the larger question of whether uniform should be worn at all.
 
Whilst Esin blatantly said ” I just don’t like uniform at all… It’s just boring and limits our imagination and individuality.” and Laura said “Personally, I just don’t want to wear uniform because we all have such great style.” those weren’t the only answers from this group of young people.
 
Naomi pondered the question before saying, ” I agree with it; I think it takes away from the stress of having to pick out an outfit and it’s easy.” In comparison, with the other views, Naomi’s answer clearly shows being a part of the new generation doesn’t mean you have to agree on a subject such as uniform and even the youth’s view on this isn’t one thing.
 
Zelie answered the question in a way that sums up the division of opinions within a young person’s ever-evolving mind, “My views on the subject of uniform are constantly changing as my personality and emotions are changing from day to day. I don’t know if I want to wear it or not, so I just can’t answer.”  
 
Speaking to the students of Wimbledon High, gives an insight into both the outdated nature of uniform and yet at the same time century-lasting genius and ease of it. 
 
When I asked all the young people how they would change their uniform everyone wanted more control over what they put on their bodies and what makes them comfortable, which they all agreed should be a basic human right.
 
Perhaps it would be a good idea to let people have more of a say in the uniform they wear.