United Kingdom school uniform

A school uniform is a distinct set of clothes which are worn by pupils in the United Kingdom. The type of uniform which is worn is set out by individual schools and may vary depending on school years. School uniforms are required to be fair for both genders, provide a reasonably low cost and tolerate religious freedoms e.g. allowing sikhs to wear turbans. [I cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/2003/school_uniform/newsid_3181000/3181847.stm|title= School uniform |publisher=BBC News|date=Unknown|accessdate=2008-08-28]

History

School uniforms were first intorduced on a large scale during the reign of King Henry VIII. [I cite web|url=http://histclo.com/schun/hist/schun-hist.html|title=The History of School Uniforms|publisher=Historical Boys Clothing|date=Unknown|accessdate=2008-08-28] The uniforms of the time are referred as "bluecoats", this is due to the uniforms consisting of long trench-coat style jackets which were dyed blue. Blue was chosen as it was the cheapest available dye and showed humility amongst all children. This first school to introduce this uniform was Christ's Hospital and has the oldest uniform of any school. [I cite web|url=http://www.archivist.f2s.com/bsu/Blcoat.htm|title=Bluecoat Schools|publisher=Boys School Uniform date=Unknown|accessdate=2008-08-28]

In 1870 the Elementary Education act was passed providing free primary education to all children. At this time the popularity of uniforms increased and almost all schools had a uniform. During this period uniforms reflected the main trends of the age, with boys wearing shorts and blazers until 13 and then trousers from age 14. Girls mainly wore blouse, tunic dress and pinafore later progressing towards the beginning of the 20th century to gymslips. [I cite web|url=http://www.objectlessons.org/ol/index.php?mod=PageMod.showComponent&component_id=137|title=Victorian Girl's School Uniform|publisher=Object lessons|date=Unknown|accessdate=2008-08-28]

These uniforms continued until the 1950s when after the Butler reforms secondary education was made free and the school leaving age was raised to 15. These reforms encouraged schools to implement uniform codes which were similar to other schools. The uniforms were largely similar to those of the Victorian periods but, created distinct "summer" and "winter" uniforms. This was particularly for girls where dresses were mandated for summer and gymslip for winter.

Modern Uniform