The one thing that many of us hated about school was school uniform - not only does it make you look like everyone else, but it also a huge expense for families to fork out on a yearly basis.
How Important Is School Uniform
And school uniform has hit the headlines again over the last week or so, when it was reported that 248 pupils were sent home in just three days at the Hanson Academy in Bradford for 'flouting' these dress code regulations - even kids that were wearing shoes that didn't fit the desired black leather were send home.
So just how important is school uniform? Moreover, is a discrepancy in the uniform a good reason to disrupt a child's school day? I have to say, sending kids home because they are not wearing the same shoes is totally and utter madness - just how does what the kids wear impact on how well they learn?
Now should a child turn up wearing a pair of jeans and a hooded sweatshirt instead of trousers and a blazer I could understand why there would be a problem, but shoes that don't quite fit the bill does seem a little OTT.
I know that uniform is designed to level the playing field - whether you come from a wealthy or poor background goes out of the window if you are all dressed in the same thing: I happen to think that that is a good thing and have nothing against school uniform whatsoever.
However, there does come a point where there has to be a little leeway - looking smart does not mean that you are going to learn more than if you turn in shoes that are not quite right.
Cost is also a huge problem. When I was at high school, my brother and I went through a pair of black leather shoes each every year, and it was a big expense to keep us kitted out in the 'regulation' uniform - given the way that some families are struggling at the moment, it is no surprise that some families may not been able to meet that expense on a regular basis.
I am all for teaching kids responsibility and coming to school every day in a school uniform is one of the early ways that you can instil that - it also does set them up for the adult and working world. However, interrupting a child's school day because their uniform isn't quite right really is not the answer.
The argument over school uniform is one that has ranged for years, and will no doubt continue to split opinion for many years to come. Of course, there are some huge advantages to a uniform; making everyone equal, giving them a sense of school identity and belonging to a specific community, as well as giving them responsibility.
But there are some downsides as well, such as stifling individuality and the cost. Over the years, we have seen supermarkets offer a cheaper alternatives but it is still a strain on the pockets of families and parents.
As far as I am concerned, as long as the child is in the classroom and ready to learn, what shoes they child is actually wearing is neither here nor over there. While I am sure that Hanson Academy in Bradford has nothing but the best interest for the child at heart, sending all of these kids home does seem a little excessive.