School called Isis Academy changes name after being left with 'no other choice'

Rebranding: Headteacher Kay Willett with the old Isis Academy sign
Andrew Walmsley/Oxford Mail
Tom Marshall8 February 2016

A special school called The Isis Academy says it has “no other choice” but to change its name after staff were repeatedly asked if they were training terrorists.

The headteacher of the academy in Oxford said contractors and people working at the school often made “negative” comments.

Staff and governors finally ran out of patience and have now decided to rebrand the school as The Iffley Academy.

Headteacher Kay Willett told the Oxford Mail: “You would give the address out on the phone and when you said ‘Isis’ the person would pause and say ‘oh’.

“Anybody who did not know the nature of the school would make comments like ‘are you training the children to be terrorists?’

“The feedback from staff is that if they gave the school’s name when travelling around people would say ‘my goodness that is unfortunate.’”

Ms Willett said even the children, many who have autism or mental health needs, were picking up on the negative comments.

The school, which is rated outstanding, has about 130 pupils aged 10 to 18.

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