By Hugo Stelfox and Thomas Dowson

The age-old question of why students need to wear uniforms has been a recurrent topic of discussion in every student’s school life, with complaints about discomfort and inconvenience being commonplace. However, when it comes to 6th form, this debate takes on a broader perspective, as various schools implement different dress code regulations. For example, at the RGS students must adhere to a strict dress code, often involving suits, while in the Guildford area most other schools with a sixth form including colleges do not impose such stringent requirements, allowing students to wear casual attire. We will look at whether the dress code meets in the middle ground of this debate or if it should be changed while keeping a neutral stance.

School uniforms extend benefits beyond appearance, fostering pride, professionalism, and confidence among students. Uniforms reduce distractions, alleviate social pressures and create a focused, inclusive learning environment. In this way, uniforms enhance the overall educational experience emphasizing their significance beyond aesthetics. They also promote convenience by ending the daily dilemma of choosing an outfit, streamlining the morning routine as you do not have to have a separate outfit for each day. This can also remove the chance of people being bullied or receiving snide comments on their chosen outfit. The other problem is with home clothes some people may take this chance to show off and try to put themselves above others in the clothes they wear and the brands they have chosen. Where some students are unable to keep up with trends due to their families having struggling incomes, and possibly being on bursaries, creating an increased strain on their family’s income and expenses. Furthermore, uniforms prepare students for their future careers, where dress codes may require formal attire such as suits. This encourages students to get into good practices early, to continue throughout their life. Uniforms can also encourage students to look after their suit as it can show others the choice to keep a suitable outfit for later in life.

While some argue that uniforms are traditional and somewhat outdated practice, they contribute to a sense of belonging and community within the school, fostering unity among students as they all wear the same outfit. This can help by also supporting younger students as they can view the community made by students wearing the same uniform and aspire to contribute in the same manner. Wearing a uniform can also instil pride in one’s appearance and encourages students to show their school positively. This creates a better image for the school possibly encouraging more students to attend. Additionally, older students in uniforms are often looked up to by younger peers, symbolizing responsibility and leadership within the school community, which would be undermined with the fact that they could wear clothes unsuited for a school environment. Uniforms can even create a sense of equality with teachers, as they too adhere to a dress code, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared identity within the school environment.

Having a relaxed dress code would help students have the ability to express themselves as most people are dressed very similarly with little variation. Many students find suits to be uncomfortable and inconvenient especially in the summer when temperatures are higher, and we are wearing the same suit that we wore when temperatures were much lower. These days most other schools have a ‘smart casual’ dress code in the 6^th form allowing students to wear home clothes. Although traditionally most high paying office jobs require you to wear a suit, most firms are now also adopting the ‘smart casual’ attire. If we as a school also allowed students to get used to the idea of a similar dress code it would help them prepare for work as many places find wearing a full suit to be overdressing.

We conducted interviews with teachers and students from RGS and from other nearby schools to hear their opinions on dress codes for members of the 6^th form. One teacher from the school expressed his opinions on this matter with a quote, “I like it I think it helps drive high standards” and that it is a “Good transition to the world of work.” This opinion could stem from the concept that many office jobs have a dress code that consists of wearing a full suit. However other high paying jobs such as an Engineer or Doctor have different dress codes and many more jobs are adopting the ‘business casual’ dress code.

One student from the school had very strong opinions in favour of our current dress code saying, “It would be a shame if everyone wore home clothes at school” and he believes that if we relax the dress code the standard of behaviour will drop. However, he did say that he believes that we should be able to wear blue and pink shirts in the lower 6^th as it allows more expression. Another student also suggested the idea of having a wider variety of ties available, with or without the school logo as there are already some ties that don’t have the school logo.

A student from a nearby school which allows them to dress ‘smart casual’ also gave us their opinions on a having a dress code in 6^th form. They favour their dress code saying, “it’s so much better than having a school uniform.” However, they did say that “nobody goes by it” and that the boundaries are pushed, a possibility that the teachers that we interviewed said would happen if we relax our dress code as people will push the boundaries.

The debate over school uniforms, especially in 6th form, has raged on for years. While some argue that uniforms are uncomfortable and inconvenient, their importance goes beyond appearance. Uniforms instil pride, professionalism, and confidence, fostering focus and inclusivity by ending the daily outfit dilemma. They also prepare students for future career dress codes. Interviews with teachers and students reveal diverse opinions, with some supporting the current dress code for upholding standards and job preparation, while others favour a more relaxed approach for self-expression. So to propose a change, that which many students and teachers have supported, is to relax the dress code to some extent to possibly allow a more diverse range of suit colour options, including patterns, creating a better sense of individuality and allowing students to express themselves more, and also bringing the code of different coloured shirts down from the U6 to include the L6. We would also suggest allowing a wider range of shoes to be worn, supporting assorted colours and styles, giving each student a unique look and allowing the school community to have many students wearing an individual outfit, while not being a clone of one another.