“Why change the name and uniform. Clearly this school has a history and the people it serves do not want it to change then the school should recognise this and go with the wishes of the surrounding residents and parents. Isn¿t there a new piece of legislation out where the parents can get rid of school governors and the like? I think this would make a good starting point as it¿s apparent that the governing body has ignored the wishes of those it should serve.”

“Karen I totally respect your views and I would probably have more sympathy were it not for the village schools (with all their history and heritage) who have been wiped out in this small part of Surrey.

Here you have the very existence of the school being protected and surely the opportunity to have your children go to school virtually on their doorsteps rather than being bused to some building miles away is more important than getting totally wound-up about the name and the colour of the uniform?

I have no doubt the school has a proud and worthy history - that will not go away.”

“Peter in Dorking; you can't possibly understand why the community in Brockham are so angry and upset about the school name change a name that has been important to every Brockham villager for over 100 years!! With all due respect sir I beg to differ when you say the children don't care! They absolutely do they have a great deal of respect for the history and heritage of their school. I on behalf if the Brockham school pupils invite you to ask them! Come to one of there school functions, wether it be a school fate or maypole dancing on the village green. There are people in this village who have had family in the Brockham school for over 100 years. You ask what's in a name? How about - history? Heritage? Respect? Passion? Love? Just to name a few. No one in Brockham village community was given the respect of being consulted on a name changer these very people who have supported the school for many many years!!!”

“What's in a name? However do concern yourselves with whether the children are receiving a good education and whether they're happy in their new environment: I bet the children don't really care a jot about the past history and the present name.”

“It's a shame to see that this is happening. With such small villages having such an overwhelmingly close-knit community, it is well within their rights to keep their children in a school that represents more than an education. It represents a sense of respect for their surroundings and for the people they inevitably walk by and greet on a daily basis. Schools have such a rich history, especially those in quaint villages such as Brockham. I am, in all sense of the word, against the name change and the change of uniform colour.
Uniform colour represents respect. Respect for their school traditions and their school's name. Don't let these children lose that respect for something so important by merging these schools and enforcing a school name that does nothing to represent what it is. The school is, has always been and forever will be Brockham's, the children attending that school will be Brockham's children.
The schools should never be made to suffer in the face of politics. This is becoming less and less about education every day. The merge is a big step forward but ripping the history from such a wonderful establishment is not.

Therefore, I urge you to vote no to the name and uniform change. Let these children gain more than an education at this school, let them learn what it is to live and grow in Brockham. Too many kids have grown up without respect for their community, let's not make this failing again.”

“Hi there thanks for this page to vote on the NAME CHANGE however Im a little concerned that you say 100`s of people villagers and parents oppose the merger of Betchworth & Leigh Acorn and Brockham school!!! This is NOT true we are ok with the merger what we are opposed to is the name change to NORTH DOWNS PRIMARY and the uniform colour PURPLE!! please change this as we are a genuine campaign and this is very important we get it right..

Regards

Karen”