The uniform way to beat the bullies

Almost two-thirds of schools in the Capital have changed their dress code and are taking a harder line on youngsters refusing to wear formal uniforms.

In a move welcomed by city leaders, sweatshirts have been replaced by shirts and ties.

Teachers claim the move has stopped children whose parents cannot afford designer clothing being singled out by bullies, and made truants easier to spot.

Marie Allan, deputy headteacher at Holy Rood High School, in Duddingston Road West, said the move had so far led to an improvement in the classroom. She said: "We know there is a difference in what different some children can afford to wear. This will lessen the concern and anxiety they and their parents may face."

John Hamilton, headteacher at Boroughmuir High School, in Viewforth, also praised the attitude of youngsters in embracing the change. He said:

"Our belief is wearing school uniform develops a sense of belonging. And we can identify our youngsters much more easily if they go out of school, which will reduce truancy."

The majority of Edinburgh's secondary schools have now implemented their own uniform policies to make sure more pupils are wearing school uniform.

Broughton and Portobello have both introduced new uniforms, Boroughmuir has set much stricter guidelines on wearing school dress, and Holy Rood, Currie, Queensferry and Tynecastle have swapped polo shirts and sweatshirts for shirts and ties.

Craigmount, Wester Hailes, and Firrhill have given youngsters more options as an incentive to wear uniforms, and Liberton has seen a real improvement in the number of youngsters wearing a recognisable uniform.

Castlebrae Community High in Niddrie, once synonymous with poor exam results, bad behaviour and truancy, has credited a formal dress code for improving concentration in the classroom, cutting bullying and making the children better behaved.

Pupils at the school surprised teachers when they overwhelmingly voted for a formal uniform to be introduced as a standard dress code earlier this year.

The youngsters even instigated the move by telling their peers on the school council that it was one of the main changes they wanted brought in at the school.

The changes have left just two Edinburgh secondary schools - James Gillespie and Craigroyston - with no formal dress code.

Cllr Aitken said he had received positive comments about children in uniform from members of the public. He said: "They say they feel less intimidated when they see young people in uniforms. That's got to be a good thing."

In his leader's report Councillor Anderson welcomed the move:

"It is particularly encouraging that children have been actively involved in choosing and designing their school uniforms."

William Crosbie, headteacher at Castlebrae High School, believes he is already reaping the benefits of pupils attending in uniforms.

The school was once tarred as being among Edinburgh's worst performing, but has been steadily improving, and it was hoped last month's introduction of a uniform would aid its progress.

And Mr Crosbie said: "It's early days - we had no uniform at all before this - but certainly there's a detectable difference.

"Staff have reported that in classrooms there is a more purposeful work ethic.

"The kids themselves have told us it's reduced bullying and slagging about what people are wearing, because they're all wearing uniforms."

There has also been an increase in resources and staff.

It has led to the number of pupils gaining five or more Standard grades at level four or above jumping from a third to almost half in one year.

Only 33 per cent got five or more in 2004, compared with 46 per cent this year.

Three per cent of students gained Highers in 2005, compared to none at all in previous years.

A fifth-year pupil also became the school's first pupil to get five Highers in one sitting this year.