Marlborough’s new primary school, the result of an amalgamation between St Peter’s junior school and St Mary’s infants school will be called Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School.
Letters went out to parents at both schools this week, ahead of a public consultation meeting at St Mary’s from 4.30pm to 6.30pm today (Tuesday).
Mark Thomas, chairman of the temporary governing body, wrote: “It may seem rather unimaginative to have chosen Marlborough St Mary’s as the name for the new primary school and some may feel it is unfair to choose between the names St Mary’s and St Peter’s.
“Therefore we would like to explain briefly the choice of this name.
“The most important aspect of a school name is that it should be a name to be proud of and a name with which the children can identify.
“Furthermore, many of the children expressed that they would very much like to keep the link with the local Parish Church. The main reason for choosing St Mary’s is that it stresses this connection with the Church.”
Mr Thomas said that more than 50 names were suggested, with Marlborough, St Mary’s and their derivatives forming a substantial percentage of the suggestions.
“In the short term it might have been better to avoid the names of either two schools, as it could come across as one school being more important than the other,” wrote Mr Thomas.
“However, in the long term we felt it would be a shame to lose the link with St Mary’s Church. Therefore we think that for future generations, Marlborough St Mary’s is a name with which we can identify and be proud.”
The new school is expected to be fully operational in September 2017.