Schools and learning

Changing the name of your school

Governors contemplating changing the name of their school* need to be aware that there is more to it than just agreeing a change at a governing body meeting – though that is the indispensable first step!

A school's official name is the one recorded on the Instrument of Government and so to change the name requires a new Instrument to be drawn up and issued.

A proposal to change a school name must be determined by a unanimous vote of the governing body - including any governors not at the meeting. A governor who is unable to be present when the vote is taken will be able to vote by proxy. The proxy must be a governor or associate member whose appointment as a proxy is in writing and signed by the governor unable to attend. This is the only occasion where a proxy vote can be accepted.

The clerk then needs to notify Governance of the desired new name. Governance informs Planning so consultation can take place with the local County Councillor, the emergency services, Royal Mail, etc.

In due course, if there are no objections, a new Instrument of Government will be issued by the County Secretary. The name of the school formally changes on the day that the Instrument comes into effect.

* This includes even minor changes (e.g. adding 'and Nursery' or replacing 'JMI' with 'Primary').