Text A: The History of School Uniforms

Early Uniforms

According to ProCon.org, the first recorded use of school uniforms is in England in 1222.

Students at one school were required to wear a robe-like outfit called a 'cappa clausa.'

However, it wasn't until the 16th century that modern school uniforms made an appearance in

recorded history.

During this time, Christ's Hospital boarding school mandated uniforms, that according to

the BBC, citizens provided. The uniforms consisted of a blue cloak and yellow stockings, thus

earning charity schools like Christ's Hospital the nickname 'blue cloak' schools.

Private and Preparatory School Uniforms

Later, school uniforms became associated with the upper class as private and preparatory

schools began to use them more. Uniforms at these schools were incredibly formal. For

example, ProCon.org notes that students at the expensive and prestigious Eton College were

required to wear a black top hat and tails as their uniform up until 1972.

Modern Trends

Today, many students attending elementary and secondary schools in England are required to

wear uniforms. The tradition began as a way to give schools a sense of identity and cohesion.

School uniforms were meant to bring equality to the students regardless of their parents' wealth,

says BBC.

In the past several years, uniforms have become more modern. Instead of the traditional

uniform of a blazer and tie in a thick fabric, T-shirts or polo shirts and sweatshirts in school

colors have become standard. Plain colored pants or jeans are also worn at some schools.

On the other hand, some schools have chosen to keep things just the way they have been for

hundreds of years. For example, BBC reports that Christ's Hospital polled students in 2014 and
95% voted to keep the traditional uniform, citing school pride as a top reason. Many also believe

that it is a long-standing part of British culture to wear a school uniform, part of our national

identity that oughtn’t be changed. For example, part of Harrow’s school identity is very much

tied with straw hats students wear, which Harrow’s students say create a strong sense of

community and unity within the school grounds and beyond.

Read Text A, ‘The History of School Uniforms’, and then answer questions 1 (a) - (e). 

(a) Give two examples of uniform clothing items at Christ's Hospital boarding school.

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[1]
 ………………………………………………………………………………

(b) Using your own words, explain what the text means by:

(i) ‘incredibly formal’

 ………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………… [2] 

(ii) ‘expensive and prestigious’

 ………………………………………………………………………………

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(c) Re-read paragraph 4, (‘Today, many students…’). Give two reasons why the
tradition of wearing school uniforms began in English schools.

 ……………………………………………………………………………………
  …………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(d) Re-read paragraphs 5, (‘In the past several years…’).

(i) Identify two ways that uniforms have been modernised in recent years.

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 ………………………………………………………………………………….... [2]

(ii) Explain why some schools still believe that having a school uniform is important.

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[3]
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