ILKLEY Grammar School's headteacher has defended changes to its dress code for sixth form students after a petition against the plan was signed by 400 people.

Currently, sixth form students can dress casually, but from September 2016, the Post-16 rules are changing to a 'professional' dress code, with the aim of creating a smarter look.

The move affects only those moving into Year 12 in September. Students currently in Year 12 will be unaffected by the change, although it is hoped they may wish to adopt a smarter, more professional look, in keeping with the rest of the school

However, the move has not been universally well received, and a petition – instigated by a Year 11 pupil – against the change, attracted considerable support from parents, past and present students, as well as members of the public.

Headteacher, Helen Williams, has held meetings to address concerns.

Speaking to the Ilkley Gazette, she said: "During the past few months, our current Post-16 dress code has been reviewed in partnership with IGS’s Post-16 student leadership group, with the aim of better reflecting the high expectations of Post-16 students at IGS, who act as role models to all students at the school and within the community.

"The student leadership team, along with the Post-16 and senior leadership teams, have worked on developing a dress code with the jointly agreed aim of creating a smarter, more professional look, to help foster a sense of pride, whilst still allowing opportunities for personalisation and affordability.

"This new dress code was presented to the elected whole school student council earlier last term for feedback, before being presented individually to Year 11 and external applicants during their recent Post-16 interviews.

"The school was made aware before the Easter holidays of a petition against the change that had been signed by a large range of people, including some parents, past and present students, as well as members of the public, and the headteacher and assistant headteacher with oversight for Post-16 subsequently met with the lead petitioner to hear and discuss the petition, as well as to explain the school’s rationale for the change first hand.

"Having had a very successful round of interviews this year, we now look forward to welcoming our Year 12 students from September."

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