Prince Andrew School to be rebranded to something less 'controversial'

Prince Andrew School headteacher Phil Toal touted the school's steadfast respect for history, but said the relation with the Duke of York was a "controversial tie"

A schoolhouse named aft Prince Andrew is acceptable for a large rebranding arsenic unit question a little "controversial" name.

Leaders of Prince Andrew School - the lone secondary schoolhouse connected the distant British overseas territory of St Helena - person asked pupils to enactment guardant ideas for a much "neutral" name. The decision, they person said, stems from "recent nationalist controversy" and "negative media coverage" involving the Duke of York.

The school, situated connected an land renowned for its section history, including its links to Napoleon Bonaparte, has taken the bonzer measurement aft considering however definite associations with the past "impact the contiguous and future". And the authorities of St Helena said it has received the blessing of Buckingham Palace itself to bash so.

Tiny St Helena, which is location to conscionable 4,000 people, sits successful the South Atlantic Ocean immoderate 1,165 miles westbound of mainland Africa, and has a colonisation of astir 4,000. It is known for being the tract of Napoleon Bonaparte's 2nd play of exile aft his decision astatine the Battle of Waterloo.

Head teacher Phil Toal said that portion the schoolhouse has a steadfast respect for history, it is important for it to sever "controversial ties" and let pupils to marque their ain imprint. He said: "While we respect history, we indispensable besides beryllium mindful of however past associations interaction the contiguous and future.

"Choosing a caller sanction allows america to honour the contributions of our students and assemblage without the load of arguable ties." Andrew's namesake, which opened successful 1989, is surrounded by woodland and boasts majestic views crossed James Bay, according to its website.

The caller sanction is expected to beryllium chosen by the extremity of February, and volition beryllium launched astatine the commencement of the adjacent world twelvemonth successful September. A connection from the schoolhouse announcing the plans reads: "The schoolhouse believes this alteration is simply a important measurement successful ensuring its sanction embodies the values, aspirations, and individuality of its students and the wider community.

"The determination to rename the schoolhouse stems from respective factors, including caller nationalist contention and antagonistic media coverage. The schoolhouse believes a neutral sanction volition foster a affirmative and forward-thinking learning environment, escaped from contentious associations."
Prince Andrew's caller unpopularity started erstwhile furore erupted successful 2019 implicit his relationship with convicted US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He stepped distant from his nationalist relation and aboriginal paid millions to settee a civilian intersexual battle lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, a pistillate helium claimed ne'er to person met. The duke, 64, deed the headlines erstwhile again past twelvemonth aft a High Court proceeding revealed alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who was banned from the UK, was said to person been a "close" confidant.