A leading academic has condemned strict school dress codes as a potential threat to pupils' mental wellbeing, citing research that shows they can lead to increased anxiety and low self-esteem – particularly among girls.
Dr Elizabeth Nassem, an expert on school bullying at the University of Bradford, claims many uniforms are outdated and fail to accommodate modern lifestyles, resulting in humiliation and embarrassment for some young people.
Nassem's consultancy, Bullied Voices, has worked with numerous UK schools, highlighting a common issue: teachers are often compelled to enforce inflexible rules without the freedom to exercise professional discretion.
She points to Jessica, a 17-year-old former pupil of Notre Dame Sixth Form College in Leeds, who felt belittled and objectified by her school's strict uniform policy.
Nassem advocates for schools to engage pupils directly in the development of dress code policies, taking into account individual needs and sensitivities rather than imposing blanket rules.