“[Magic is]…the use of special powers to make things happen that would usually be impossible…”1
Academies have a magical belief in the importance of uniforms to learning. Unfortunately, school uniforms are part of a ‘Belief system’, not an educational strategy.
Magic explains why every academy believes uniforms are important and an eligibility criterion for entry to their schools. Academies demand school uniform despite knowing they don’t improve learning outcomes.
Case Studies
Abbs Cross Academy “Blazer:Black with green piping and embroidered school motif. School tie:black and green stripe with logo.” These cost about £47 and are compulsory. They need to be replaced about every two years.2
Abbs Cross is a Loxford Trust school who, “…thrives on its exacting and uncompromising nature and its quest for success for all students”. They don’t mention school uniform.3 The alleged importance of school uniform goes beyond school, “Trust Schools have the power to sanction pupils for misbehaviour outside of the school premises to such an extent as is reasonable….when wearing school uniform…”4 They worry about reputational damage if students misbehave in uniform.
Harris Academy Rainham The compulsory blazer and tie combo cost £46 every two years. (Boys must wear a tie but girls, surprisingly, don’t.)5 “Our uniform is an important part of encouraging and maintaining our school ethos of Belong, Believe, Become.
“Belong, Believe, Become,” is cute alliteration and meaningless. It’s feel-good PR drivel.
Royal Liberty The compulsory blazer and tie combo is about £36 plus seven other items. This is pricy. They don’t justify uniforms as a route to achievement, “At Royal Liberty we want our students to look smart in their school uniform at all times; not only in school but also travelling to and from school. We feel it is important that students have pride in their school and respect its uniform by wearing it neatly.”6 (see research note)
Discussion
The schools don’t justify their tax on learning. They are a herd, who have uniforms because everyone else does. They don’t critique school uniform or substantive educational issues.7 Havering isn’t an educational island8 and the cost of school uniforms could be better spent on significant educational opportunities.
School uniforms are a tax on learning.
Research note These schools were selected randomly but tell the same story. A survey of the other 15 schools offered no alternative narratives.
Notes
1 MAGIC | English meaning – Cambridge Dictionary
2 Abbs Cross Academy – SCHOOL UNIFORM DIRECT
3 School Priorities – Abbs Cross Academy
4 DUE-SUMMER-2026-POLICY-BEHAVIOUR-POLICY.pdf
5 School Uniform – Harris Academy Rainham
6 School Uniform Code – Next Review_ Sept 2025 (DHI).pdf – Google Drive
7 Havering and Redbridge’s Secondary Schools: A Comparison, 2024 – Politics in Havering see also Havering and Redbridge: A Tale of Two Boroughs – Politics in Havering This is dated 2019, which is pre-Covid
8 Havering and Redbridge’s Disadvantaged Secondary Students – Politics in Havering This refers to 2022
Politics in Havering 