Totnes votes for school uniforms

King Edward VI Community College in Totnes is tore-introduce uniforms for students after getting rid of them nine years ago.The majority of the school’s 1,800 pupils voted in favour, and there wasoverwhelming support from parents and local junior schools.

Governors at the school, known locally as KEVICC, sent out more than six thousand questionnaires before making their decision.

Staff don’t believe it will lead to improved academic results, but everyone is hoping it will foster greater community spirit. They don't regret the decision of nine years ago

Many students said it was difficult to avoid pressure to be fashionable.

But some pupils didn’t want to lose their individuality.

The governors discovered that the uniforms were an issue with parents of younger children.

Some parents also expressed concern over the potential safety issues for non-uniform students on an open college site where staff, sixth formers, students and members of the public visiting the site can become indistinguishable

Has the decision to abandon uniforms proved to be a failed experiment?

Now the students and staff will start work on designing their new uniform. They say that cost, practicality and equality, will be important to their decision. Consideration will also be given to how and when to introduce the uniform.

Sixth form students will continue to wear their own choice of clothes.