Figure 1.--

At primary school our caps were maroon and were the traditional English design. We had to wear a full uniform of grey shirts, maroon tie, blazer, grey shorts and long grey socks. I started grammar school in 1966. The cap was still requited for the first and second year boys. There was a choice of grey shorts or long trousers. Most of us wore trousers as it seemed more grown up. I can't remember much about the cap except that it was predominantly blue maybe has a small logo on it in yellow. It might be that my sister has it. I know my mom kept it until she died but after then i know nothing. We hated having to wear them. You were supposed to wear them for the first 2 years, but we used to have the older boys snatching them from us and throwing them around, especially on the buses home. Within a few months of being there they made them optional. The boys could wear grey shorts up to and including the third year. Only one boy wore them that long and he went on to become head boy. I suppose he could have been the victim of bullying for wearing them to that age but as he was popular and a leading light of the football team--he was not bothered.

My Catholic Primary School

At primary school our caps were maroon and were the traditional English design. We had to wear a full uniform of grey shirts, maroon tie, blazer, grey shorts and long grey socks. I went to a private primary school run by nuns. Now a lot of people have bad memories of being taught by nuns in the 1950s/60s but, I have to say I liked the ones we had and it was quite a happy place. My parents were not well off and the fees were not high then. In fact, there was quite a range of pupils there from rich through to poor. Everyone wore the full uniform so I guess that the nuns helped some of the poorer kids. Not wearing uniform never seemed to be an issue.

Other Primary Schools

It was not common for boys at nearby state primary schools to wear blazers - nor to have homework like we did.

Grammar School

I did well on mu 11+ exam so I went to the grammar school near me. I remember that my parents were quite prod. I started grammar school in 1966.

Rules

My grammar school was strict about uniform both for the normal school uniform and pe kit. If you did not, for example, wear your blazer of 'forgot' your tie you were warned but for a second offence you were caned or slippered.

Caps

The cap was still requited for the first and second year boys. I can't remember much about the cap except that it was predominantly blue maybe has a small logo on it in yellow. It might be that my sister has it. I know my mom kept it until she died but after then i know nothing. We hated having to wear them. You were supposed to wear them for the first 2 years, but we used to have the older boys snatching them from us and throwing them around, especially on the buses home. Within a few months of being there they made them optional.

Trousers

There was a choice of grey shorts or long trousers. Most of us wore trousers as it seemed more grown up. I'd say about 40 percent of the 1st year boys started off in shorts and that half of them had changed to long trousers by the end of the year. Most stayed in longs ones once they got some but maybe as few as 2 or 3 did vary from day to day. Some boys went back into shorts as spring warmed up but the prevailing mood was that it was more grown up to wear long trousers. I chose long trousers and my parents were fine about my wearing longs. I found the material very uncomfortable on my legs and it was such a relief to get them off after school. Even now, I am careful about the feel of the material when buying trousers. So, from a comfort point of view, I would have preferred to stay in shorts.

The boys could wear grey shorts up to and including the third year. Only one boy wore them that long and he went on to become head boy. I suppose he could have been the victim of bullying for wearing them to that age but as he was popular and a leading light of the football team--he was not bothered. I've no idea why he wore shorts for so long, I did not know him very well. I don't think his parents were that well off but don't know if that was a factor. I certainly rember just how short they were by the time he was in 3rd year.

I remember discussing the wearing of shorts with my mates and most of us claimed to prefer long. Some wanted to wear long as winter came on but said their parents would not let them.

PE uniform

In PE, if you turned up without kit and had no note the PE teacher would make you undress down to vest/t shirt and pants and slipper you in front of the other boys in the changing room. You then had to do the gym session in your underwear.

The Secondary Modern

Boys wore blazers to the secondary modern schools too. I can't remember seeing any boys from any local school in anything but blazers whether black, blue or whatever. They all had blazer badges too.

Created: November 25, 1998
Last updated: September 26, 2001