REGULAR readers will be aware of our secret school teacher columnist who lifts the lid on what life is really like in today’s classrooms. Here, their counterpart, The Secret Pupil, gives an insight on life from the other side of the desk.

THE idea behind school uniforms is to create a collective pride within the school and show equality among students, as well as teaching young people how to dress smartly.

Fashions change in uniforms like they do in everything else.

From the time I started school to now, my final year, the uniform regulations have changed noticeably.

From a polo shirt, jumper/cardigan and trousers in primary school to a blazer, blouse, tie, skirt and tights in secondary school.

Uniform regulations have also recently become strictly enforced, to the extent where if you do not meet the standards, you can be sent home to change.

But for us pupils, some of the rules are over the top and simply unnecessary.

For example, during winter students have the option of wearing a jumper underneath their blazer. But, this is not allowed to be tucked in. Why?

Because the school believes this is just girls trying to make a fashion statement, and that is not allowed.

Another example is the regulations on girls’ make-up.

There are no formal restrictions on this, but if a teacher thinks the make-up is not acceptable, the student can be immediately sent from the classroom to wipe it off.

This would suggest a student’s appearance means more to teachers than their actual education.

With summer now approaching and the weather getting warmer, wearing a cotton blouse and black blazer is rather unpleasant.

When walking to my classroom one morning with my blazer in my hand, I was stopped by a teacher and told to put it back on.

I was also informed a new rule has been introduced for summer: that students must have their blazers on when walking around the school.

Alongside this, there is an already existing rule of when we want to take our blazers off in lessons, we have to raise our hand and ask the teacher first.

Higher education is supposed to be all about teaching students how to become independent after leaving school – surely treating us like young children flies in the face of this?