A secondary school specialising in performing arts has quietly cancelled Harry Potter author JK Rowling – replacing her as a house name over her ‘comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people’.
The Boswells School in Chelmsford, Essex, had honoured the writer for one of its in-school groups, which had also been labelled with the quality of ‘self-discipline’.
It was discovered today that Kelly Holmes, the Olympic gold medalist, had replaced her.
The school had announced plans to review Rowling’s name in July after ‘requests from students and staff’.
In September, it was announced by the entire school that Dame Kelly had been selected from all names suggested by staff.
One parent commented, “This was censorship. JK rowling is a great example of success in adversity.”
“Not everybody thought she should go. A lot of schools seem like they are doing the same thing right now, unfortunately.”
The school’s issues with Rowling, 56, were laid bare in a newsletter seen by MailOnline, which featured an image of the house logo with the writer’s name erased.
Boswells School Chelmsford (Essex) had named a house in honour of JK Rowling
According to the school, students and employees had requested that Rowling’s name be reviewed
The school decided to replace Kelly Holmes, an Olympic hero.
It said: ‘The Boswells House System embeds a sense of community, friendship and healthy competition amongst both students and staff.
‘A strong house identity empowers our students to participate and thrive in all aspects of school life, both in and out of the classroom. The Boswells has 6 houses that are made up of British citizens. These include those who have demonstrated integrity, emotional intelligence and resourcefulness.
‘However, following numerous requests by students and staff we are reviewing the name of our red house ‘Rowling’ and in light of J.K Rowling’s comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people. Her views on this issue do not align with our school policy and school beliefs – a place where people are free to be.
‘Staff have been invited to put forward suggestions of names for the house. Once shortlisted a vote will go out to the whole school to select a new House name.’
This is quite a change from the time she was announced for the title.
Stephen Mansell, the school’s head teacher, had called Mansell then “the beloved series of seven Harry Potter books”.
The couple insisted that she would be perfect for their’self discipline’ theme house. Rowling states, “Success requires consistent practice, self-discipline, and the ability to fail repeatedly and get up again.”
“But, we must complete all tasks given to us, or we won’t be able to create the foundation for self-trust and the discipline that will allow us to grow.”
This was in 2001: JK is seen with Rupert, Danielle and Danielle at Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.
Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as well as Eddie Redmayne who star in the Fantastic Beasts films have criticised her for making such remarks.
Other house names paying respect to Sir David Attenbrough, Charlotte Bronte, John Travers Cornwell VC, Stephen Hawking and Florence Nightingale are still in place.
MailOnline reached out to the school today to request comment about the name changes.
Boswell is home to many famous performers. Its alumni include Keith Flint, the late Prodigy singer, and Aaron Beard, cricketer.
Rowling (56), was accused of transphobia when she ridiculed an article online in June 2020 that used the phrase ‘people who have their periods’ rather than ‘women.
Later, she defended herself in an essay passionately against these claims but was still criticised.
Last week she hit back at a claim on US website that she believed there are only two genders.
Rowling said: ‘Small yet important point: I haven’t ever claimed there are only two kinds of genders. There are many gender identities.
The core of the debate revolves around whether gender identity or sex should determine the basis for decisions regarding safeguarding, provision and sporting categories as well as other areas in which women and girls are currently protected and have legal rights.
The changes were made at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Richmond in October
The names Sir Winston Churchill, JK Rowling and JK Johnson will not be used any more for the school houses
The central question of the debate is obscured by the interchangeability between the terms’sex and ‘gender’.
If you want to know what I really said, here is a link – in which I say “Trans Lives Matter” and “Trans Rights are Human Rights
The question of Rowling appearing in the Harry Potter reunion broadcast on Sky has been a hot topic for the last few weeks.
The New Year’s Day Special featured clips in which stars praised her writing. She was also revealed to have appeared in archives footage.
A segment of 2019 also features her discussing how difficult it was to find Harry’s acting talent when she cast The Philosopher’s Stone.
It is a highly anticipated reunion that Daniel will join Emma Watson (who plays Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (who plays Ron Weasley), in the eagerly awaited event.
The reunion special was attended by a star-studded crowd, but the franchise’s author wasn’t there. This triggered outrage among fans who claimed that makers were trying to remove her opinions.
MailOnline told two months ago how Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Richmond cancelled Winston Churchill and Rowling for not being diverse enough,
It previously had houses named after the Prime Minister and the Harry Potter author – alongside Sir David Attenborough and Emmeline Pankhurst.
According to the school, which serves young children aged 3-11 years old, pupils asked that house names be more varied.
This was followed by Rowling and Churchill.