Parochial... 200-years of history

A debate has started has to whether to Westhoughton’s Parochial Primary School should change its name as part of modernisation plans.

The school’s headmaster, Gareth Robertshaw, has announced radical plans to change the 200-year old school name to St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School. They say that the word ‘parochial’ means narrow-minded – and it is too hard to spell.

Students of by-gone years have questioned the decision, saying that the word ‘parochial’ also means ‘pertaining to a parish’, highlighting its link to the town’s church. But the school says that changing the name will create greater links with the church.

One former student of the school told us: “People who went to the Parochial knew it as a good place, with good teachers, and changing the name will do nothing but lose 200 years of history. If the headteacher wants to modernise he can do this in other ways, but they should leave the name alone.”

Angered former students have submitted their objections to Mr Robertshaw, and the school’s governors. A recent poll on this website also showed that more people objected to the proposals than were in favour.

Westhoughton South ward councillor David Wilkinson, who was actively involved with the school for many years as a governor, said: “Changing the name of the school is merely cosmetic. The real change must come through good quality teaching, effective leadership, and modernising the school facilities. It would be a shame not to see the Parochial’s name live on through the next 200 years.”

The school’s position was defended by Adam Seddon, who said: “The school was founded by the church, funded for many years by the church and more recently heavily funded by the St Bartholomew’s for the re-development of the class rooms. The name change is about bringing the name of the school in line with the other CofE schools in Westhoughton.”

The Parochial was in “special” measures until a recent Ofsted report said the school was now “good” again.

You can submit your own views by e-mailing Gareth Robertshaw at RobertshawG@westp.bolton.sch.uk or write to Gareth Robertshaw, Head Teacher, Westhoughton Parochial CE Primary School, The Fairways, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3NZ.

You can also submit your comments using the form below.

For those wishing to object, you can sign this petition (below):