Another claim often made for uniform is that it papers over divides between rich and poor children, making bullying less likely. But in the five years Baker has been head, he has never dealt with a bullying issue sparked by clothing. "I know children want branded trainers and so on, but that spreads across their whole lives. It isn't specific to school. Also, it's obvious even with a uniform which children come from poorer homes. It's difficult to hide the fact that you only have one shirt and have to wear it all the time.