SIXTH formers at Skipton Girls' High School are being asked to swap their jeans and jumpers for a dark coloured suit in a bid to help create a new professional image for the school.

The school's sixth form navy and white dress code was abolished about eight years ago to give the pupils more independence and give the sixth form a college feel to it. Since then A-level students have been able to choose their own school clothes.

Headteacher Janet Renou, who took up her post in September, says she is drawing up a vision for the future of the school and the return of a dress code is just one small part of it.

She pointed out that she was not asking the pupils to wear a uniform, but was consulting with pupils and their parents about introducing a dress code to give the girls a professional air and to reflect the hardworking ethics of the school.

It is proposed that all sixth formers wear a dark jacket and skirt or trousers from September.

Extremes in fashion including torn jeans and trainers have been deemed unsuitable for school life, even by some of the pupils themselves, according to Mrs Renou. She said the idea of a dress code was just one of several being discussed with everyone who played a part in the school to help form a modern vision for its future.

The pupils have already come up with their ideas on things they would like to see change and their wish list included better ICT facilities, a professional and modern environment, active learning and more involvement in the school from business and industry.

However a return to a dress code is not popular among the current sixth formers.

A subsequent consultation letter to parents from Mrs Renou stated: "Their views reflect the fact that in preparing for a career, academic success is only one of the factors required by top universities and employers. A good record of extra curricular activity, evidence of posts of responsibility, personal confidence and good presentation skills are equally in demand.

"This is an area we would like to develop further, creating opportunities for our sixth formers to gain leadership experience. Giving more responsibility in the school - such as making presentations or hosting groups of visitors - will help develop this.

"The governors share my view of how important it is that students dress appropriately to reflect their work ethic at school."

She did not want to force an extra cost on to parents but hoped that everyone would consider the fact that the pupils were bright and their image needed to reflect this. She thought it would help create the right frame of mind for work and hoped a dress code that everyone agreed upon could be found.

Mrs Renou added: "The school is a wonderful school and academically it is good. But it needs to be brought up to date."

It is not just the sixth form's image facing changes but the school as a whole. She said many parts of the school needed refurbishing and modernising to give it a professional look.