Two Edinburgh schools are set to be renamed to reduce stigma toward pupils
Two Edinburgh schools are set to be renamed in hopes of reducing confusion and decreasing stigma towards pupils.
Officers have suggested new names for St Mary's RC Primary School (Leith) and Gorgie Mills School, with councillors set to make a decision next Tuesday.
The Roman Catholic primary in Leith is set to become Star of the Sea RC Primary School, over ongoing issues with it being confused with St Mary's RC Primary School, which is located in Canonmills.
According to a council report, both schools get post and deliveries for one another, as well as contractors turning up to perform works on the wrong school.
Further, both schools are often incorrectly contacted by government agencies, and parents will occasionally enroll their children at the wrong school.
It says: 'While these issues individually may not seem overly problematic, when they happen as often as they do, the result is a considerable waste of staff time and can often have a direct impact on learning and teaching time.
'It also dilutes the sense of identity and individuality of each school.'
Both schools are attached to Catholic churches named St Mary's, with the Canonmills school attached to St Mary's cathedral and the Leith one linked to St Mary Star of the Sea parish church.
Meanwhile, Gorgie Mills School is set to become Westfield Secondary School, after a consultation with pupils, parents and staff.
Gorgie Mills School was formed in 2007 as a merger of three schools, and was launched to care for students with 'social, emotional and behavioural' needs.
But it has changed towards becoming a school for additional support needs pupils more generally.
The council report read: 'Young people feel strongly that the current name carries with it negativity and stigmatism which they would like to eradicate.
'The school community believe that changing the name of the school will support in the re-branding of the school and emphasise the significant changes that have taken place in recent years.'
Votes were held among staff, pupils, parents and other groups at each school, with the majority of respondents at each approving of name changes.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
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Two Edinburgh schools are set to be renamed in hopes of reducing confusion and decreasing stigma towards pupils. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Officers have suggested new names for St Mary's RC Primary School (Leith) and Gorgie Mills School, with councillors set to make a decision next Tuesday. The Roman Catholic primary in Leith is set to become Star of the Sea RC Primary School, over ongoing issues with it being confused with St Mary's RC Primary School, which is located in Canonmills. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to a council report, both schools get post and deliveries for one another, as well as contractors turning up to perform works on the wrong school. Further, both schools are often incorrectly contacted by government agencies, and parents will occasionally enroll their children at the wrong school. St Mary's RC Primary School in Leith is set to be renamed to Star of the Sea RC Primary School | Google Maps It says: 'While these issues individually may not seem overly problematic, when they happen as often as they do, the result is a considerable waste of staff time and can often have a direct impact on learning and teaching time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It also dilutes the sense of identity and individuality of each school.' Both schools are attached to Catholic churches named St Mary's, with the Canonmills school attached to St Mary's cathedral and the Leith one linked to St Mary Star of the Sea parish church. Meanwhile, Gorgie Mills School is set to become Westfield Secondary School, after a consultation with pupils, parents and staff. Gorgie Mills School was formed in 2007 as a merger of three schools, and was launched to care for students with 'social, emotional and behavioural' needs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But it has changed towards becoming a school for additional support needs pupils more generally. The council report read: 'Young people feel strongly that the current name carries with it negativity and stigmatism which they would like to eradicate. 'The school community believe that changing the name of the school will support in the re-branding of the school and emphasise the significant changes that have taken place in recent years.' Votes were held among staff, pupils, parents and other groups at each school, with the majority of respondents at each approving of name changes. Councillors will make a decision on the school renaming at the next meeting of the Education, Children and Families Committee on Tuesday, 10 June, which you can view here.
