Teens design their own official plaid for school skirts and ties

JUST three years ago, school uniform was an alien concept for pupils at Queensferry High.

But now, youngsters are so proud to wear their school colours that they have designed their very own Queensferry High tartan, which will become part of a new uniform.

The Ferry Fling tartan is currently being registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans and will soon be rolled out on new skirts and ties for the whole school.

The idea behind designing a school tartan came from a group of senior pupils, who originally wanted to create a new tie to make fifth and sixth-year pupils stand out from those in the junior school.

But after they finalised their designs and showed the whole school at assembly, the first-to-fourth year pupils warmed so much to the idea that it is being opened up to all pupils.

It is seen by the headteacher as a major achievement for the school as, just three years ago, there was no uniform at all.

Gemma Ruickbie, 17, one of the pupils involved in designing the tartan, said: "The idea was that this would make the senior school look different to the rest of the school.

"But when we showed the tartan to the whole school, they took to the idea and I like it that they took it on board too."

Rachel Buntin, 17, who is going on to study fashion when she leaves school, said: "It will be different from other school ties so we'll stand out.

"I think tartan's really coming back and when we've had ceilidhs for Christmas dances, the guys have been coming along in kilts.

"I feel quite proud to have changed something in the school."

Headteacher Robert Birch said the senior pupils first approached him about designing a new tartan after he turned up to school wearing a tartan tie on St Andrew's Day.

He said: "It's not instead of the uniform we currently have, it's an alternative to it.

"To have the kids coming forward with this idea for their own school uniforms shows they are identifying with their own school."

City education leader Marilyne MacLaren added: "Well done to the school for coming up with this fun and interesting addition to the curriculum."