By Brady Haran BBC News Online, East Midlands

Burleigh students can wear what they want

Or are students treated with more respect if they can dress like adults?

These questions are being posed by a school in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Burleigh Community College currently allows students to wear casual clothes, but problems with violence have prompted a review.

Principal John Smith says: "There was a fair amount of tension within Loughborough about 18 months ago... and there were people who came on site and were looking for trouble and we could not identify who those people were."

WEAR IT LIKE BECKHAM David Beckham dresses for work... it is about putting on a uniform for the job Principal John Smith

He also believes that uniforms look better.

"Burleigh has got some smashing students and I'm really proud to be principal here, but sometimes the way they look lets them down.

"A few months ago we had a visitor come to the school who said 'My, aren't they scruffy'.

"We get bad press sometimes because of they way students look, not what they do."

Before the school's governors make a decision, parents, teachers and students are being given their say.

In a consultation letter sent to parents, the school outlines numerous benefits of wearing a uniform, such as:

• Creates a feeling of identity and commitment to the school

• Pupils feel dressed for work rather than leisure

• A uniform is an inexpensive set of clothes for school

• Truancy more difficult in a uniform

• Stops a 'fashion parade' and discrimination based on dress

During consultation so far, Mr Smith says parents have supported the idea of school uniforms, but the school's students, aged 14-19, generally oppose the plan.

BBC News Online discussed the proposal with three students who had differing views.

STUDENT REBELLION There would be a lot of disruption and a lot of chaos Lisa Peryer

Jim Smithers believes there should not be a uniform, but he would support a stricter dress code to "smarten up" the look of students.

He says: "Teachers aren't just teachers in this school, they treat us as adults.

"I think that if you've got a uniform, they will think that you are just their student and they have got absolute control over you."

Nikita Kakaiya supports the introduction of uniforms for all pupils except those in sixth form.

"There have been fights between different religions, and I'm guessing it's because of what they wear.

"It does bring a large problem into the school, which is why a uniform should be introduced."

Lisa Peryer is one of many students opposed to the idea.

She says: "Wearing your own clothes you feel more relaxed and comfortable and I think it's a better working environment.

"Things like a blazer are quite restraining and you can't work properly.

"If they brought it in, there would be a lot of disruption and a lot of chaos."