Red Tie Assembly marks milestone moment

A tradition passed ‘from age to following age’ 

For Year 13 students at Loughborough Grammar School, receiving their red tie marks a milestone moment in their school journey. It is a symbol of leadership, mutual respect and service that will endure long after they leave LGS. 

30 years later, this year’s assembly invited Head of History and alum, Mr Daniel Murphy (FFD, LGS 1996), to reflect upon his own Leavers Assembly: “The great thing about traditions is the way they connect you. They connect you to the past but also to the future. They evolve a bit; the tradition you are taking part in now, the presentation of the red tie, has evolved since my day to include our younger years – a fantastic change meaning that the connection between past and future is even stronger.” 

During the Red Tie Assembly, Year 13 students are presented with their ties by pupils in Years 6 and 7. This interaction between the oldest and youngest members of our school community is significant. As one year group is just beginning their journey, the other is preparing for their next steps. The assembly encourages our youngest pupils to recognise the role models they’re sat next to whilst simultaneously providing an opportunity for Year 13 students to reflect on how far they’ve come since the start of their own journey. 

Mr Murphy’s speech also spotlighted a significant line in the school hymn: ‘From age to following age, a hundred generations have built our heritage.’ He said: “For one age, the younger men, ‘the following age’ from the hymn, you have been part of one of the traditions that marks the beginning of your journey at LGS. For the other age, this tradition is the first in a series of lasts. 

“I hope that all of you in here today will give some thought to this tradition and wonder if you will become and continue to be the kind of man that this tie represents – one who respects others and is respected by them. One who always tries to do what they think is right and one who seeks to make a positive difference in the world.”

The red tie is more than just a part of the uniform for our Sixth Form students. It is a visual representation of their responsibility to be the role models that their younger peers look up to and signifies that, whilst they are nearing the end of their school journey, the values they learn here at LGS will remain with them throughout their lifetime.