7. If I remember correctly my brother's school mandated that blazers came from M+S. Is that an inclusive or exclusive brand ?

One argument I have heard for branded uniform is that it stops poorer children from being singled out for not having the "in" brand.

A decent school will have ways of ensuring that everyone can get the branded gear, whether it is by a second-hand market, subsidy or actually paying for the uniform of those in need. Of course that only eliminates the issue of poverty, not that of not being "in the know", and moves the stigma from the child to the parent.

A ban on a single brand policy risks those who can afford a better quality becoming a snobbish elite that look down on those that cannot.

Of course, wearing second-hand or inherited hand-me-downs risks hurtful remarks whatever the brand.