Outrage as 16th century school is renamed Learning Centre

Prescot School is no more

One of Britain's oldest schools is to be re-branded a "Centre for Learning" is what is being condemned as ludicrous political correctness.

Prescot School on Merseyside was founded in 1544 and is proud of its heritage as the second oldest grammar school in the country.

Some scholars believe William Shakespeare may have been among its earliest visiting teachers.

But following a restructuring programme the Prescot School is to be re-named 'Knowsley Park Centre for Learning - serving Prescot, Whiston and the wider community.'

Not content with giving the returning pupils a tongue twisting title, education chiefs have also been criticised for renaming classrooms as "learning spaces".

Despite moving three times in its history Prescot School has always kept its basic identity and has a proud society of "Old Prescotians".

But the current headteacher Marion Farrell is under fire for supporting the change of identity that means the name "Prescot School" will be lost.

She said: "The name, Knowsley Park Centre for Learning - serving Prescot, Whiston and the wider community

"We decided to recognise in what we cal 'the strap line' that we do indeed serve the communities of Prescot, Whiston and the wider community and we are proud to do so.

"A centre for learning is much more than a school. It is something at the very hub of the community."

Former pupils have now launched a petition against the change which is scheduled to begin when the re-vamped school opens in September.

But Old Prescotians spokesman Arthur Whitaker believes the council and headteacher are discarding years of history.

Mr Whitaker said: "It's absolutely ludicrous to change a name which is steeped in so much history.

"I'm part of a group of proud former pupils who meet up to four times a year and we all thought it was nonsense at first but now we are devastated.

"Everyone knows what a school, college or university is so why change it to a 'learning centre'. It's a classic case of political correctness gone mad.

"But it is beyond a joke when they propose to dispense with a name that is a great piece of British history for no logical reason.

"We are very disappointed to learn that this idiotic idea has the backing of the current headteacher.

"If they are changing the name of the school then the headteacher should look to her laurels.

"Perhaps she should become a 'Learning Centre Manager' since teaching in a school is something that she clearly does not consider a prestigious role."

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