By Ken James, Headmaster, Red House School
I cannot remember a day when I did not wish to attend and I struggle to recall a lesson which did not interest me. I’m sure there were some; I just struggle to recall them. I attended a Catholic school in Huddersfield, with an excellent reputation and high standards. It instilled in me the need to dress appropriately and this is something I impress upon my pupils.
Growing up, the other school in my life was slightly less real and had standards which were ever so slightly lower than my own school: it was Grange Hill. The exploits of Tucker and Zammo were part of my childhood and perhaps put my idyll of an education into perspective. I remember, even as a child, trying to work out why the children dressed so scruffily. Why the ties were never done properly and why shirts seemed to be constantly untucked.
My obsession with this continues to this day. I am a stickler for uniform being worn correctly and believe children should be challenged if they are not doing so. Teenagers often see it as their job to rebel but it’s our job, as the significant adults in their lives, to allow them to think they are rebelling whilst gently guiding them along the path of compliance.
I hope the children at Red House do not read this article because I have a confession to make: my world would continue to revolve even if their top buttons were all undone, all the time. It is not essential to my existence that their shirt is tucked in, but it is essential that I challenge them should their uniform not always be impeccable.
You see, I believe top buttons allow good children to rebel. By undoing their top button, and being reprimanded for doing so, children can gain a little kudos from their peers. Children don’t always want to be seen as conformists and giving them the ability to rebel over small matters means they never have to seek bigger challenges to authority.
We are also instilling in the children the need to conform in certain circumstances which remains important throughout their working life. Whether it be the wearing of a suit in the office or safety clothing on site, children must learn to wear what is deemed appropriate. They may not always think the rules should apply to them but this doesn’t mean we should agree with them. And if we give way to the desires of children on this matter, what’s next?
How many times have we seen in the national press children standing with their parents giving reasons why their brand of trainers should be accepted as school shoes? I haven’t had to face this yet but it’s important that we challenge it. We are the adults and our job is to guide. Top buttons are there to be done up and by enforcing this we are gently reminding the children that society has rules and we will enforce them. Tackle these little instances of rebellion and the revolution will not follow.
