9th September 2016 1:00
By Blue Tutors
The new school year had a dramatic start on Tuesday in Margate, Kent as police were called to the school gates to deal with protesting parents. Pupils and parents were protesting the school's strict crack down on school uniforms, which resulted in 50 students being sent home on their first day of school, and 20 the following day. The incident, which took place at the Hartsdown Academy, has sparked a national debate on school uniforms and whether the new head master, Matthew Tate, did the right thing sending children home for uniform infractions.
While some parents were outraged by the seemingly harsh decision to refuse entry to students with incorrect shoes or missing their blazer, others are showing their support for the new head’s ‘no exceptions’ approach. Affected parents criticised Tate for not simply giving a warning to offending children, some of whom were year seven students sent home on their first day at a new school. However, a letter was sent to all parents well in advance reminding them of the uniform policy and clearly stating that any children not appropriately dressed would be sent home, and almost half of students returned later in the day in the correct uniform. The back to school period is a difficult one financially for many families, who often have several children needing school supplies and new uniforms. School is in an area with many students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The decision to uphold the dress code is not simply about buckles on shoes and wearing the right kind of socks, it is "part of raising expectations and standards" and forms part of establishing a "no excuses culture" explains the school head. The school is currently rated as “good” by Ofsted, and the new headmaster is undoubtedly under pressure to attain the excellent classification. A surge in uniform enforcement is happening increasingly across UK as head teachers say strict dress code not only removes obvious social divisions between students, but provides a sense of cohesiveness and formality that improves classroom behaviour and consequently learning. There is little conclusive evidence that school uniforms improve learning outcomes, but either way, enforcing the dress code once it is established is not about learning but about discipline; schools must fight the uniform battle to win respect war.
While some parents may want leniency for their children, fair and clearly enforced rules are key to maintaining a learning environment. Equally, school education’s job is not only to teach the curriculum, but to prepare students for life as an adult, where rules are to be taken seriously and are enforced not only by social pressure but law.