School Uniform (Hansard, 9 December 1992)

§ The Minister of State, Department of Education (Baroness Blatch)
My Lords, the final decision as to whether to adopt a school uniform must remain one for the governors of each school.

§ Lord Skidelsky
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Will the Minister agree that not only can school uniforms help to disguise differences in background among pupils but they are also conducive to good learning and conduct? A school which adopts a uniform as part of a new approach sends a most important signal to both parents and pupils that it attaches a high value to such matters.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I have no difficulty whatever in agreeing with my noble friend. Many people believe, as I do, that school uniform can help to develop a sense of community on which good behaviour and high standards depend. Noble Lords may remember that my noble friend Lord Elton produced a report which suggested that an emphasis on the value of wearing uniform was one way to help pupils to identify with their school.

§ Lord Dormand of Easington
My Lords, I agree with most of what the noble Lord, Lord Skidelsky, said. However, does the Minister not agree that in some cases families have difficulty in finding the money for a uniform? In those circumstances what does the Minister suggest? I expect that she will tell me that that is a matter for local education authorities, but she knows that at present education expenditure is very restricted. What does the Minister recommend to parents who cannot afford uniforms?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, many local education authorities have a hardship fund. As a parent of 186 children I should say that it is a far more cost-effective option to put children in uniform than it is to compete with day to day fashion.

§ Lord Judd
My Lords, does the Minister agree that, if there is social value in uniforms and if uniforms are required, they should always be affordable, practical and widely available so that parents are not forced to go to a particular supplier, which can distort the prices that they are expected to pay?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, the noble Lord makes an important point. I go in and out of schools on a frequent basis and I know that many are adopting such an approach to uniform. They are adopting simple uniforms, often based on colour, but with rigorous application to wearing that.

§ Baroness Masham of Ilton
My Lords, does the Minister agree that the wearing of uniforms may reduce the incidence of stealing, which can be a problem in many schools?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I cannot be scientific in my answer to that question but I agree with the general proposition. It is true that the wearing of uniforms has many benefits.

Lord Morris
My Lords, does my noble friend agree that those who complain most loudly about the cost of uniforms rarely blink an eyelid at spending £70 on a pair of child's trainers and other fashionable clothes?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, my noble friend makes the point for me; that is true. Many parents heave a great sigh of relief when they learn that a school has adopted a uniform. The other serious point to make is that a good governing body will consult with the parents about a policy for uniforms.

§ Lord Glenamara
My Lords, as the Government have standardised all other aspects of life in schools so that they all teach the same subjects for the same amount of time, can we not at least allow children to show their individuality in the clothing that they wear?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I made it absolutely clear in my first answer to the Question that the matter is for local determination by the governing body of a school in consultation with the parents. That decision should be made at a local level. We have made it clear that we have no plans to predetermine at a national level what children should wear.