Quote:School bans the "school"
THE head of a new school has banned the word “school” — in case it upsets pupils’ parents.
Watercliffe Meadow is known as a “Place for Learning” because staff say “school” has a negative impact on some mums and dads.
The new £4.7million academy in Sheffield, South Yorks, replaced three old schools.
Its 481 pupils, from nursery to Year 6, are allowed to wear slippers instead of shoes.
Headteacher Linda Kingdon said: “We decided we didn’t want to use the word ‘school’.
“One reason was many parents of children here had very negative connotations of school.
“Instead we want this to be a place for family learning.
“There are no bells or locked doors. We wanted to de-institutionalise the place and bring the school closer to real life.”
But the name ruling was ridiculed last night.
Local mum Kimberley Dunne, 26, said: “A school is a school. Seriously.
“The word ‘school’ doesn’t have negative connotations, it’s just where you go.
“A school’s always been a school, why change it?”
Marie Clair, of the Campaign for Plain English, said: “It’s laughable. Do they think by changing the name they will change the environment?
“We all know what the building is. There is this whole political correctness agenda.
“Using unfamiliar words instead of a simple one, like ‘school’, will get in the way of children’s ability to learn.”
Andrew Sangar, Sheffield Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It’s a school.
“We consider it a school and that’s how we refer to it.”
"Let's fight... like gentlemen." - Dudley, SF3
