What has the SNP got against school blazers?

The much-maligned school blazer has come under attack once again, this time by Scottish government. In new guidance issued this morning, head teachers north of the border have been told to either ditch them, or make them optional within their uniform policies. Head teachers who know their pupils rather better than first minister John Swinney and his meddling SNP ministers have been entrusted to ‘be clear that these are not needed or expected’.

The reasons are not only the perceived cost, but the way in which pupils ‘may feel that uniform restricts their identity and individuality’. At that point the guidance becomes a confused mess, arguing that ‘financial challenges in accessing uniform which can highlight social or economic differences between pupils, and could lead to increased stigma, peer pressure and bullying.’

Perhaps Swinney – and Jenny Gilruth, his cabinet secretary for education and skills – might like to talk to those pupils who find ‘own clothes’ days stressful and intimidating.