One of the Island’s largest schools – still known to most as Ryde High – looks set to change its name from Ryde Academy to Lift Ryde, it has been announced.
Academies Enterprise Trust, which runs the Pell Lane school, is now known as Lift Schools and, as a result, has plans to rebrand the 57 establishments it operates across the country.
It’s said that whilst changes won’t happen overnight, in time, the transition to Lift Schools offers an ‘excellent opportunity’ to update school branding in line with Lift’s educational ambitions.
Rebecca Boomer-Clark, Chief Executive of Lift Schools, has said in a letter to parents:
“The AET name has served us well since we were formed 5 years ago, but it has become outdated and no longer reflects who we are as an organisation.
“Lift Schools as a name better reflects who we are and what we stand for: a network of schools across the country working together to ensure that every child gets an excellent education and is challenged and supported to achieve their very best.
“We want to redefine what’s routinely possible in education – and we feel our name should capture this spirit. Our schools should be joyful and fun, a place where your child feels happy and safe, where they are eager to learn, and where they can truly excel.
“As part of this transition, “Lift” will be gradually introduced into the name of all our schools, and we will be investing in our schools to make them welcoming and engaging places for our pupils to learn. Please rest assured that while our name and look are changing, the day-to-day experience at Ryde Academy will remain the same for you and your child.
Article continues below this advertisement “We see this as a positive change for our trust and schools and are looking forward to the academic year ahead with real energy and excitement”.
The school is now under the leadership of Will Doyle, who has stepped up as Acting Headteacher following the sudden departure of Joy Ballard.
Sounds like the name of a business, not a school
Funny you should say that …
What a waste of money and a load of nonsense. The revised name reminds me of something you would see advertising a well-being activity.
How much is this going to cost? Will it change the performance of teaching and outcomes; no. That statement about polishing a turd comes to mind.
I’d rather see the money spent on reducing the size of classes and equipping teachers.
Why would anyone in their right mind name a school after an elevator? Bring it back under accountable local authority control and call it what it is: Ryde Comprehensive School.
You can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Ryde Academy does its best but the leadership follows the dictats of AET now Lift. The rebrand apparently cost £45000 on top of the £5 million they slice off for HR catering building executive salaries etc.
LIFT are below average in the results league table in spite of being in the top third in size. Unfortunately the efforts of teachers are undermined by brand loyalty. It is high time multi academy trusts were subject to strict control