News / Colston's School
School founded by Colston announces its name will change
One of the last remaining places in Bristol named after Edward Colston has revealed it will be changing its name.
Colston’s School will follow in the footsteps of other buildings, venues, establishments and schools in Bristol who have dropped the slave trader’s name as part of what has become known as the ‘de-Colstonification’ of Bristol.
A statement from the Stapleton school said the decision comes after an “extensive” formal name consultation which considered views from the school community as well as the general public.
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Out of the survey’s 2,500 responses, more than a third of respondents were in favour of retaining Colston’s name, which the school has had since it was founded in 1710,
However, the ultimate decision to erase their benefactor’s name was made based on feedback given by those closer to the school, including current and recent former pupils and staff, who were more inclined to see a new name of the school as a positive step.
Colston’s School is located in Stapleton – photo by Colston’s School
Nick Baker, chair of governors at Colston’s School, said: “After a lengthy period of consultation, consideration, and reflection, it became clear that those with a closer connection to the school, would prefer to have a name that was more relevant for the pupils and staff of today and tomorrow.
“It is hoped that a new identity will do more to reflect the values and ethos that the school stands for today and to make it even more welcoming to the local community it serves.”
The governing board were keen to stress that “the decision will not erase the school’s history”, and that the role of Colston in Bristol and the teaching of the transatlantic slave trade will remain part of the school’s curriculum.
The school’s headmaster, Jeremy McCullough has welcomed the decision: He said: “It is an exciting new chapter for the school, and I am proud of our pupils and staff for engaging in this complex discussion and for being a part of the future they want to see.”
The process of choosing a new name will now begin, with a new moniker due to be announced in the summer of 2022.
Colston’s statue was toppled on June 7 2020 – photo: Martin Booth
Colston’s School joins the many establishments in Bristol including Montpelier High School (formerly Colston’s Girls’ School), Bristol Beacon (formerly Colston Hall) and Beacon Tower (formerly Colston Tower) which have chosen to forgo the slave trader’s name in their title.
The process of changing the names of Bristol’s buildings and institutions named after Colston was triggered by the infamous toppling of his statue from its plinth and into the docks, for which four people are due to go on trial on December 13 at Bristol Crown Court.
Main photo by Colston’s School
Read more: Colston’s Girls’ School reveals new name
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