Beryl Gilroy is ‘an icon of Beckford school’, and will be commemorated with this permanent tribute

• WE were dismayed and disappointed with the tone of your coverage of the renaming of Beckford Primary School, (School votes against renaming itself in honour of pioneering black headteacher, December 3).

Far from being a knee-jerk reaction to an external campaign, governors and staff discussed changing the school name as soon as we were made aware of the history of the slave-owning Beckford family.

Ours is a highly diverse, inclusive, and welcoming school, at which 37 languages are spoken. Given this diversity we wished to make the renaming process as democratic as possible.

To this end, having sought nominations, the most popular suggestions were put to a vote of pupils, parents, and staff.

West Hampstead Primary School was the overwhelming choice of the majority of those voting, and from September 2021 that will be the new name of the school.

But this does not in any way mean that we reject the enormous legacy and achievements of Beryl Gilroy, as has been suggested.

Taking on a new name that appeals to our school community does not prevent us from celebrating our most distinguished former head- teacher.

In fact we plan to do just that with a permanent installation in the school in her honour, which we hope will be unveiled next year – and we are actively discussing this important tribute with her family.

Beryl Gilroy is an icon of the school and will be commemorated with this permanent tribute, so that her influence will continue to be felt by current and future generations of West Hampstead children.

SAMUEL DRAKE
Headteacher

MADHAVAN RAMAN
Chair of Governors
Beckford Primary School, NW6