Eastbourne Grammar School

                                                                                                                                                                   28^th March 1959

Dear Parents,

I have had many requests for information about School uniform. There are several reasons why standard uniform was adopted. First, it ensures minimum standards independent of parental means and of the idiosyncrasies of adolescent taste. Second, a neat appearance is as essential as good manners and other factors in developing the corporate spirit necessary to a school occupying a central place in the community.

Details of items of uniform follow:

For boys in Forms 1 – 4 inclusive, black shoes, grey stocking (with tops in School colours), grey shorts or grey flannels, grey shirts, grey pullovers (with bands in School colours), School blazer, School tie, School cap. For such formal occasions as Speech Day and Commemoration Services, a white shirt is essential.

For boys in Forms L5 to 6 inclusive, black shoes, grey flannels, white (or grey) shirt, grey pullover, School blazer (or single or double-breasted black jacket), School tie (or prefect’s tie or colours tie), School cap (or prefect’s tie or sub-prefect’s cap), grey socks.

I hope that most boys will opt for white shirts.

The response from parents since last September has been so good that it seems churlish to offer criticism. If I single out points for some adverse criticism I do so only because I believe that we share a common interest in having a perfect turnout. In that spirit I offer these comments with the confident expectation that I shall have full co-operation in eradicating the defects indicated.

Shoes: The standard of cleaning varies greatly. Can there be a drive towards the adequate daily performance of this chore by the boys? Occasionally a boy arrives wearing brown or even suede shoes. The reason given is generally that ‘the black shoes are at the menders’. Now that the scheme is in operation I hope that most parents will be able to keep a pair of black shoes in reserve to meet such emergencies. Unless a boy is nearing the end of his school career the second pair will eventually come into daily use anyway.

Shirts: Please try to keep to plain white (or grey) shirts as the case may be. The introduction of other colours or designs, however simple, detracts greatly from group appearance.

Pullovers: This is unquestionably the weak spot at present. Ties must not only be worn, they must manifestly be seen to be worn. To comply with this condition by draping the tie over the pullover is sartorially incorrect and aesthetically unpleasing. The only acceptable garments are grey with V necks.

Jackets: One sees occasionally a blue blazer. I hope that these will be replaced, as soon as possible, by black blazers. On the rare occasions when sports coats are worn, the reason is invariably that the blazer is “at the cleaners”. Wherever possible I hope that parents will provide a second blazer, partly to meet an occasion such as this and partly for greater smartness on special occasions. As with the reserve pair of shoes, the second blazer will eventually come into regular use, unless a boy is soon to leave.

I end with an expression of appreciation for the magnificent support that I have enjoyed so far. I look forward to a continuation of this backing. Your reward, I hope, will be twofold: in the creditable appearance of your son now and in his successful showing before a potential employer later.

Yours sincerely

R W Shaw