3:43pm Tuesday 23rd February 2010
By Kate Proctor
GOVERNORS hoping to end 150 years of tradition by changing the name of an historic school are facing a mass of protests - from their own pupils.
A Facebook campaign to stop governors renaming Windermere St Anne’s School attracted 400 comments from pupils, former students and parents all opposed to the plan.
Kimberley Lawther, of Kendal, who left in 2007, said: “We don’t want the school governing body to drop 150 years of history in one quick motion.
“It would be a huge disrespect to every member of staff, pupil and the parents by simply forgetting the roots of the school that I and many others love.”
Governors at the independent school plan want to to re-brand both senior and preparatory schools by September.
The senior school would simply be called Windermere School, and its Elleray Preparatory School renamed Windermere Preparatory School.
A Facebook group, “Keep Windermere St Anne’s School just that!” is believed to have been set up by a student two weeks ago. It attracted more than 400 comments including ex-staff and parents but has now been taken off-line.
In a letter to current and ex- students, head teacher Ian Lavender said a clearer name could help boost the school’s income by attracting boarders.
Parent of two former students, Gordon Shoosmith said that the school had been through enough changes since it decided to scrap A-levels for the International Baccalaureate exam in 2006.
“What pupils need is stability and a sense of pride in their school,” he said.
“The main thing that sells a school to parents is a school with a stable history, good teachers and happy pupils that do their best and are proud of their heritage.”
Head teacher Mr Lavender said: “We have had a reaction on Facebook that has been based on hearsay and rumour.
“A lot of them were making statements that were blatantly untrue and there were concerns about its factual innacuracy.
“What I would say is that we are looking at the marketability of the school in a global context.”
Mr Lavender’s letter said the school’s distinctive crest which features St Anne’s lighthouse, school motto ‘vincit qui se vinvit’ – she who conquers herself conquers all – and the former pupils’ association name ‘Stannites’ would not change.
The school was founded at St Anne’s, Lancashire, before moving to Browhead, Windermere, in 1924.
A sixth-form was added in 1990, and in 1999 it became co-educational.
The school has 372 pupils. Around 30 per cent of the senior school are international students.
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