Bristol school changes name to create new image

A north Bristol secondary school has become the latest to change its name to try to create a new image.

Monks Park School, Horfield, shut its doors for the last time yesterday after 52 years.

The comprehensive, which was rebuilt three years ago, will reopen as Orchard School Bristol after the summer holidays.

Neighbours will notice another change too. Students will wear blazers and ties from September.

The school will reopen as one of Britain's first National Challenge Trust Schools. This is a Government initiative to help raise standards and is bringing extra funding to the school.

Head teacher Helen Holman said that although Monks Park had a proud history, there was negative feeling among parents associated with the school's name.

Governors considered a number of names, including Horfield School, North City Campus, Bristol Institute of Learning, West Country Communication College and The Oratory School, before deciding on Orchard School Bristol.

"The name links to the orchard that grew on the school site over 50 years ago and draws on our aspirations for the future – a school rooted in the community, of growth and development and fulfilment," she said.

The school said students were keen on the new uniform, and all those in Years 7 to 10 have been given a free blazer and tie, funded by the Government. The new school will have a house system and ties are in the four house colours.

Orchard School Bristol will be run by Trust in Learning, which is made up of representatives of City of Bristol College, University of the West of England and Bristol City Council.

Dr Holman said: "We already have positive relationships with all three organisations but this new relationship is much more formal and is for the long term."

Trust in Learning is already running the Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe.

That school adopted its name when it opened as a trust school a year ago, incorporating the former Hartcliffe Engineering Community College – which, before that was Hartcliffe School – and Teyfant Community Primary School.

New Fosseway Special School is joining the Bridge this September.

Secondary schools that have changed their names in recent years include:

Brislington School – Brislington Enterprise College

Bristol Cathedral School – Bristol Cathedral Choir School

Hengrove School – Oasis Academy Bristol

Portway School – Oasis Academy Brightstowe

Whitefield Fishponds School – Bristol Metropolitan College/ Academy (from September)

Withywood School – Merchants Academy.