This is how a long tradition may be coming to an end at King James’s School in Knaresborough

For decades, girls at King James’s School have worn a Royal Stewart or Hunting Stewart tartan kilt, predominantly either red or green, depending on the year.

Now the school, which was founded more than 400 years ago, has unveiled an update to its uniform policy to ease the dress code to the benefit of pupils and their parents.

In line with Department of Education guidelines, the following rules will apply from September this year:

Students in years 7-11 can opt for black trousers or a green kilt

Red kilts will be phased out; in September Year 8 students (current Year 7) can continue wearing red kilts if they wish or they can wear a green kilt or black trousers

Branded PE shorts and socks will also be phased out and be replaced by plain black shorts (no leisure style or “hot pants”) and plain black football socks for outdoor activities and plain white short socks for indoor activities.

Students in Years 8-11 can continue to wear existing branded items if they still fit.

The updated policy aims to:

1 Promote a sense of community and belonging to the school

2 Engender a sense of pride in, and loyalty to, the school

3 Enable students to feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance 4 Avoid discrimination and promote fairness and equality

King James’s School says the aim of the changes is to support families financially, avoid unnecessary waste and encourage the growth of uniform exchanges and second-hand uniform sales.

Headteacher Miriam Oakley has already written to parents to explain the updated uniform policy in detail.

The school will continue to encourage students to wear traditional style black school shoes.

But, in another change, students will also be permitted to wear black, leather, polishable leisure shoes.

King James' School's hair, make-up and jewellery rules for pupils have also been updated.

For more information, visit: https://www.king-james.co.uk/