New uniform rules aim to foster sense of pride at Cupar secondary.

EDUCATION: High school sets tone of aspiration with smart new dress code to help pupils ‘feel they belong’

A Fife high school is updating its dress code to foster a sense of pride and belonging among its pupils.

Bell Baxter will be introducing the new code after the summer break.

It has been shaped and informed by the data collected during a consultation involving pupils, parents and staff.

It will involve smart black trousers or skirts, black jumpers, white shirt and school ties.

Fourth to sixth year pupils will wear blazers, but younger pupils can choose whether to buy a blazer or not.

Striving to become one of the highestachieving schools in Scotland, Bell Baxter aims to create an ethos based on pride in the school.

A smart dress code is the first step in ensuring pupils “feel that they belong”.

Head teacher Carol Ann Penrose said: “The young people in Bell Baxter are among the best I have ever worked with.

“They are polite, articulate, able and ambitious and I want them to reflect this in the way they dress.”

Ms Penrose admitted some students had expressed concerns that a stricter code will “suppress their individuality”.

“However, with almost 1,500 pupils there is a clear need for them to wear clothes that easily identifies them as Bell Baxter students,” she added.

It is hoped the smart dress code will prepare young people to dress professionally in the workplace.

“We are looking to build a strong, positive and aspirational culture in Bell Baxter and out in the local community – uniform is a really important part of that picture,” said Ms Penrose.

Senior pupils can be measured for blazers at two sessions.

The first is from 4-7pm today for fourth years and the second is from 4-7pm on Thursday for fifth and sixth years.

The Cupar school will be open throughout the summer for blazer orders.

Financial assistance will be available to families who may be experiencing money difficulties and parents and carers should contact their child’s guidance teacher to alert the school to any difficulty.

Ms Penrose added the school looked forward to working together with the community to ensure that its commitment to creating an environment where young people are ready and focused on work is sustained throughout the year.

They are polite, articulate, able and ambitious and I want them to reflect this in the way they dress. HEAD TEACHER CAROL ANN PENROSE