Bristol girls’ school named in honour of slave trader Edward Colston rebrands itself Montpelier High School… 169 years after being built with his money

A school named after Edward Colston has been renamed after the 17th Century slave trader was toppled by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters in June. 

Colston’s Girls’ School (CGS) in Bristol will become Montpelier High School after a vote with current students and staff.

The school was established in 1891, 169 years after the death of Colston and was built with money he had endowed to support education.

The school’s name and association with Colston had been the subject of renewed public debate after his statue was toppled during a BLM protest after the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

Demonstrations erupted in Britain and across Western societies after Floyd’s death, culminating in mass rallies in central London.  

BLM activists have called for the defunding of police forces they accuse of ‘systemic racism’ and for an overhaul of UK culture including the removal of statues of imperial figures, the renaming of buildings and the ‘decolonisation’ of the curriculum.

Principal Kerry McCullagh told students at a virtual school assembly that they had ‘navigated a complex and emotional issue with skill and maturity’ and that they had ‘shown respect for others throughout the process, acknowledging that there are many views and opinions that reach far beyond the city’.

She said that the school is proud to be part of the Montpelier community and that the new name would allow the school to forge a new identity that represents its diverse and inclusive community.

The name is one of 10 that a working party of students developed earlier this year.

The names were presented to the Venturers Trust Board, which runs the school and shortlisted three for voting on.

From a choice of Montpelier, Liberty and Concordia; and College, High School and School, 62 per cent of votes favoured Montpelier High School.

Head student Betsy Maguire said: ‘It’s been incredible to be part of this process and to work alongside others on such a monumental project. 

‘I am certain that there are students in this school who will change the world.

‘Be it through challenging opinions or championing ideals for the future, every single person here should feel proud of what they have achieved.’

A full rebrand of the non-selective academy is expected to take place in 2021.

Mrs McCullagh added: ‘We are conscious of the cost implication for our community of a school-wide rebrand.

‘Updating uniforms mid-way through a school year is not something we would ask parents to do.

‘We will now begin to work with a designer to develop our new visual identity and we would like to enjoy the experience, rather than rush it.

‘It will be a proud moment for us all when we begin our next academic year as Montpelier High School.’

In September, Avon and Somerset Police said it had asked prosecutors to consider charges against four people over the toppling of the Colston statue.

The bronze memorial was pulled down on June 7 and dumped in Bristol Harbour. It was later recovered by Bristol City Council.

There has been pressure on the Society of Merchant Venturers for several years over the name of Colston’s Girls’ School. 

It was set up by the Society of Merchant Venturers in the 1890s as a girls’ alternative to the private Colston School, which was set up by slave trader Colston himself in 1610.

The Society of Merchant Venturers and the academy trust they run which runs the school resisted attempts by staff to set up a consultation in 2017 over the name, but the toppling of Colston’s statue triggered a new process.

In a statement, Chair of Governors Chris Patterson told MailOnline: ‘Inviting the students to shape and deliver the consultation and to have the final say on what the new name should be was certainly the right decision. 

‘The students have conducted themselves with integrity throughout the entire process and they have been fantastic ambassadors for the school, displaying our core values of respect, responsibility, curiosity and resilience.   

‘They will remember this experience for the rest of their lives and they have learnt valuable life skills that will help them in the future.’

David Watson, CEO of Venturers Trust, said: ‘CGS became an integral part of the debate over how to contextualise the past so that we learn lessons to create a better future. Students have made history today by choosing a new name to reflect their diverse and inclusive school community.’