Woke school gets rid of Rowling as a house name
A SECONDARY school has been accused of an attack on freedom of speech after replacing JK Rowling as a house name in the row over transgender issues.
The Harry Potter author was adopted as the figurehead for one of six houses at The Boswells School in Chelmsford, Essex.
But she has been ‘cancelled’ in favour of Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes following ‘requests from students and staff’ over her ‘comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people’.
One parent, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I was definitely not in favour of this – what does it say about freedom of speech? The way I see it, Rowling has tried to explain her position on a difficult subject in a reasonable way.’
Another told MailOnline: ‘This is censorship – JK Rowling is a good example of achievement through diversity. Not everyone thought she should go. A lot of schools seem to be doing the same thing at the moment, sadly.’
When Miss Rowling’s name was adopted for the house, the school – which has nearly 1,500 pupils and includes late Prodigy frontman Keith Flint among its alumni – described her as a ‘much-loved’ author.
It added: ‘Rowling states that success takes constant practice, self-discipline and requires us to get up when we fail and try again.’
But it announced plans to review the use of her name in July – a month after the 56year-old writer was accused of transphobia for speaking out against an online article which referred to ‘people who menstruate’ instead of ‘women’. A school newsletter – on which Miss Rowling’s name had been erased – stated: ‘Following numerous requests by students and staff we are reviewing the name of our red house “Rowling” and in light of JK Rowling’s comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people.
‘Her views on this issue do not align with our school policy and school beliefs – a place where people are free to be.’ It said the whole school would vote on a new house name. The school, which was approached for comment yesterday, has now switched names.
Its other houses are named after Sir David Attenborough, Stephen Hawking, Florence Nightingale, Charlotte Bronte and First World War hero John Cornwell.
Miss Rowling has been ‘cancelled’ elsewhere, and her appearances on Sky’s recent Harry Potter reunion were limited to archive footage.
She was removed as a house name at Holy Trinity Primary School in Richmond, west London, as was Winston Churchill. They were replaced by England footballer Marcus Rashford and 19th century nurse Mary Seacole.
Miss Rowling has defended her stance, writing: ‘I’ve never said there are only two genders. The question at the heart of this debate is whether sex or gender identity should form the basis of decisions on safeguarding, provision of services, sporting categories and other areas where women and girls currently have legal rights and protections.’
‘What about free speech?’