Was This Headmaster In The Right To Enforce Such Strict Uniform Policy?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3775968/Police-called-school-sends-FIFTY-children-home-day-term-weren-t-wearing-right-uniform.html

/// 'One of Aleasha's friends was turned away for wearing canvas shoes, and she was hysterical. ///

/// 'As soon as Aleasha saw that, she was scared she wouldn't be allowed in. ///

/// 'She's been really stressed for the past three nights and now she's terrified of going to
school. ///

Oh dear what is the matter with kids and their parents these days?

[andy-hughes]

Back when car number plates were changed every year, there was always a 'news' story about someone buying a brand new car and crashing it on the way home - the nearer to the showroom the better. It was a standard because news was slow, parliament on holiday, etc.

Now the fashion for a 'standard' story has migrated to school uniforms, and here we go again for this year.

To answer the OP - yes the Head Teacher was entirely right to enforce the school's uniform policy.

The whole point about school uniform is cohesion and identity, and the additional benefit is the inability of fashions to run riot through fads and phases.

Yes, some children are embarrassed if they are sent home, but for the parents to indulge in hysterical shrieking at media outlets is not the way to deal with it, or set a proper example.

Children have to learn to conform, because as adults they will have to conform, and conformity is a reliable society bond and a valuable lesson.

Equally important in the case of this individual Head, is his need to stamp his authority from day one - he is turning around a failing school, and he has to lead and be seen as an authority figure who will impose the rules firmly - a message for pupils, staff and parents to understand.

So as I always do, I back the Head Teacher who has advised of uniform policy in advance, and is now enforcing it - the first step towards turning the school around and separating it from its unfortunate past.

The media encourage parents who feel they have rights to protest and make a fuss, whereas in fact they do not.

[Barmaid]

I'll bet some of them would have a problem at my old school. We had regulation knickers!!! Altho why is anyone's guess.

[scowie]

I think headmasters today should be more concerned about the health and wellbeing of their pupils and less about conformity for conformity's sake. He shouldn't be sending kids home for something so petty when they are supposed to be in his care. And he shouldnt be forcing his pupils to wear shoes that can in some cases draw blood at the back of their heels when they could instead wear a pair of comfortable all-black trainers. Practicality should come first, not some wishy-washy uniformity BS.

[andy-hughes]

scowie - //I think headmasters today should be more concerned about the health and wellbeing of their pupils and less about conformity for conformity's sake. He shouldn't be sending kids home for something so petty when they are supposed to be in his care. And he shouldnt be forcing his pupils to wear shoes that can in some cases draw blood at the back of their heels when they could instead wear a pair of comfortable all-black trainers. Practicality should come first, not some wishy-washy uniformity BS. //

Health and safety and uniform policy are not mutually exclusive, it's not a case of one or the other.

As for the shoes 'drawing blood', then obviously any head teacher, and I am sure this one will be the same, will look at any specific issues caused my wearing uniform, and deal with them on an individual basis.

The bottom line is - this head has been brought in to turn around a failing school,, and he is staking his claim from Day One by enforcing uniform policy, which shows his intention to make sure everyone knows there is a new sheriff in town, and he is going to do things his way.

Uniformity is not 'wishy-washy BS' - it's s step towards building a cohesive approach towards a proper school identity, and uniform is a valuable and powerful tool in getting that message across.

[Tilly2]

'And he shouldn't be forcing his pupils to wear shoes that can in some cases draw blood at the back of their heels'

That is probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen on AB, Scowie.

[fiction-factory]

It certainly puzzled me, Tilly2. Is the school issuing these shoes?

[Tilly2]

I doubt it, FF.

[murraymints]

barmaid..we had regulation knickers..navy with a wee pocket for a tissue ! lol

[Tilly2]

No tissues in my day, Minty. We had hankies.

[murraymints]

lol..wee Irish lace in my case..or loo paper if in a hurry !!