News / Edward Colston
Colston’s Girls’ School will change its name
A name change will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Colston’s Girls’ School (CGS) as it seeks to “forge an identity that represents its diverse and inclusive community”.
Just days after the statue of Edward Colston was toppled from its plinth, leaders of the Montpelier school announced plans to launch a consultation into whether it should change its moniker.
The announcement that it will be shedding the name linked to the slave trader came on Tuesday, following a process that included a public survey and a series of lessons and debates.
is needed now More than ever
The online survey, which was open to the public between July 17 and August 14 2020, received 454 responses, of which 63 per cent (286 respondents) voted against a name change.
However, the school’s students and staff swung the decision, with 75 per cent voting in favour of changing the name – from a turnout of 81 per cent.
The school on Cheltenham Road is one of several in Bristol run by the Venturers Trust. It was only in 2017 that the school last looked at changing its moniker, then telling parents that it was “not appropriate” to remove Colston’s name.
Announcing the decision, chair of trustees for the Venturers Trust Gail Bragg said: “The board of Venturers Trust has unanimously agreed to change the name of CGS, following a very clear result from the school community vote.
“I’m incredibly proud of our students who have shown maturity and sensitivity in developing and delivering the consultation. The broad spectrum of feedback from within the school and from the online survey, make it very clear that there are strong feelings on both sides of the debate. For some people, this announcement will be disappointing and for others it will be cause for celebration and it’s important that we acknowledge that.
“We will not be erasing the history of CGS, it is a part of Bristol’s story which is now an integral and permanent part of the curriculum. However, the school will be forging a new identity that represents its diverse and inclusive community and this is the momentous beginning of a new chapter.”
Established in 1891, 170 years after the death of Edward Colston, CGS was built with money the slave trader had endowed to support education and therefore bore his name.
The announcement that it will now be renamed follows a string of changes that have seen the city’s flagship music venue become the Bristol Beacon. Both the Dolphin School and Colston’s School are also looking at changing their names.
The former Colston Hall has officially been renamed Bristol Beacon – photo by Martin Booth
In addition to the public vote, students collated further opinions from across the city. These included interviews with leading Bristol figures to help stimulate discussion and debate within a series of lessons and workshops for older students in preparation for the vote.
Academic and historian Professor Madge Dresser provided students with advice on how to facilitate a balanced debate process.
Using feedback gathered during the consultation process, students will now develop a list of potential names, which will be reviewed by the Venturers Trust Board, with plans to reveal a new name by the end of the month.
Kerry McCullagh, principal of CGS, said: “Students have learnt so much about the democratic process and have expanded their own opinions by talking and listening to such a wide range of people. I am particularly impressed by the way in which all opinions were genuinely welcomed so that those who expressed a desire to keep the school’s name were able to do so without worrying that others might judge them.
“The entire process has been positive and perfectly illustrates the inspiring qualities of our compelling students. These are difficult conversations with strong views on both sides and the classroom has provided a safe space in which to explore complex issues. Students were encouraged to seek and understand the views of others and not just to make themselves heard, which is a really valuable life skill.”
Read more: Colston’s Girls’ School to start ‘transparent process’ on possible name change
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
