Primary school wins legal fight to keep its coat of arms

A PRIMARY school has won its battle against a £1, 00 charge for using heraldry on its crest.

Parents launched a fundraising drive after it was revealed Craigie Primary School in Perth had breached ancient rules on its coat of arms.

The school’s 200 pupils were asked to donate £2 each to take part in a ‘dress royally’ event.

But Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart revealed yesterday that he had received a pledge from the Lord Lyon that the charge would not be applied to register the 60-year-old crest.

The school’s logo, pictured, is believed to have contravened the Lord Lyon King of Arms Act 1672 by not registering the coat of arms with the Public Register of Arms and Bearings.

The 300-year-old law states that ‘a heraldic device with an outline’ must be registered.

The issue was first brought to the attention of parents at Craigie Primary School last year and instead of voting to change it, 70 per cent of parents voted to keep the coat of arms.

Head teacher Lesley Gibson previously said that the school had a legal team working tirelessly on the issue.

The school was unable to order new branded items until the fee was paid.

Mr Wishart said: ‘I am pleased that the Lord Lyon has intervened to bring reason to this matter. The pupils can now wear their badges with pride and without any concerns about their status.’