Do you support a return to a stricter dress code in Bristol schools?

Hundreds of Bristol youngsters will have to learn how to fasten a tie over the next few days as their schools return to formal uniforms.

The popularity of shirts and ties and, often, blazers has increased in the last few years and several more schools are adopting the look this September.

They include the new Orchard School Bristol, which replaces Monks Park School in Horfield, and the two new academies in South Gloucestershire in the Ridings' Federation. Older students at the Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe will also start wearing ties. More than half the state schools in Bristol now have a shirt and collar uniform rather than polo shirts and sweatshirts.

This is partly due to the switch to academy status by several schools. A change of uniform when Bristol Brunel Academy replaced the former Speedwell Technology College two years ago was one of the major symbols of change for people in the area.

Merchants' Academy in Withywood, sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers, and the two Oasis academies, sponsored by the Christian charity Oasis, which all opened a year ago, insisted on pupils wearing formal uniforms for similar reasons.

The change was funded by the Government through its academies unit.

Stephen Kings, principal at Merchants' Academy, said the uniform was part of a successful change in ethos.

He said: "Standards of behaviour and dress are excellent and the uniform has been accepted. There is so much for our students, parents, teachers and the whole community to be proud of."

Pupil Bradley Thomas, 16, admitted the clothing took some getting used to.

He said: "We didn't like the uniform at first, but now it gives us a sense of belonging and makes us feel more mature.

"I believe having such a great school with amazing facilities has improved our attitudes and, in turn, our grades."

Pupil Kirsty Bourne, 16, added: "Wearing school uniform has made a huge difference to how people perceive us. We look smarter and therefore are treated accordingly."

In many cases, the new uniforms include ties in house colours as schools return to a traditional house system.

Paradoxically, it seems that it is schools that have a fairly relaxed uniform code that seem to have the most trouble when they try to enforce rules such as no trainers or no black jeans..

What do you think? Is a formal school uniform a good idea? Write to Open Lines, Evening Post, Temple Way, Bristol BS99 7HD.