Last school ditches Colston’s name but crest will remain

THE last school in Bristol to bear Edward Colston’s name has announced it will be renamed “Collegiate” from September, but it will keep the same crest and motto.

Colston’s School, which was founded by the slave trader in 1710, will keep its crest and motto unchanged in order to “retain and explain” the merchant’s slavery links.

Nick Baker, the chairman of governors, insisted the change “must not be interpreted as an attempt to change or deny the school’s history”.

He said: “We believe it is important that students attending the school continue to be taught about the school’s history; specifically, Edward Colston’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

“In order to assist with this, some historical aspects of the school, for example the crest and motto, will be retained and explained, rather than removed.”