Ivanhoe College is planning a change of name and logo later this year.

The North Street-based Ivanhoe says it wants to remove the 'College' part of its name and replace it with 'School' after joining a multi academy trust last year.

It also plans to change its updating the knights head logo to accurately reflect the historical period of the Ivanhoe story - adding that the current one is estimated to be 500 years out of date.

But the College is keeping the name 'Ivanhoe' despite admitting the Walter Scott novel it is based on has 'awkward connotations'.

However, it is being retained due to its 'positive perception' in the local area - and that outweighs any link to the book in modern times.

Ivanhoe is consulting with staff, parents and students regarding these proposals and welcome views by email to [email protected] - reference your email 'CONSULTATION RESPONSE' - by the consultation closing date of Friday, June 10.

The new Ivanhoe logo will look like this

Following the completion of the consultation, the final decision will be made by the Full Governing Body later in the term.

If the proposal is approved, the proposals are due to be implemented for the start of the 2022-23 academic year.

A statement from Ivanhoe College reads: "As part of our evolution to an 11-16 school we have reviewed our name and logo and propose to make some changes beginning in Autumn 2022.

"Ivanhoe has not been a community College for many years, and converted to an academy in 2012, joining a multi academy trust in 2021.

"Despite this we retained the title 'College' in our name.

"We now feel that it is time to change our name to Ivanhoe School as a reflection of our change of status.

"The name of our school, Ivanhoe, comes from the novel by Walter Scott. 

"It remains a common name in many aspects in the area, the 'Ivanhoe Runners', 'Ivanhoe Way'.

"The current logo image of the 'Houndskull' helmet presents again both an opportunity and a challenge.

"The challenge is that this particular helmet style is 500 years older than time period Ivanhoe was set in, rather at odds with our evidence-based teaching and learning. 

"The opportunity it presents is a narrative to explain to the community the need for change.

"The proposed new logo is based on the Great Helm, a helmet which is accurately representative of the Ivanhoe novel time period."

All changes will begin to take affect initially in Autumn with incremental changes following..

The College says uniforms with new logos will be available to buy from stockists from Autumn this year.

Ivanhoe College is based in North Street, Ashby. Photo: Instanttreetview.com

But students will not be expected to replace items that still fit and are in good condition.

But the College admits some reservations over the name 'Ivanhoe',

The novel deals with colourful descriptions of a tournament, outlaws, a witch trial and divisions between Jews and Christians.

The College adds: "The proposal is to build on our strong heritage and local goodwill, and to evidence to our audience that we have developed additional skills that reflect our values.

"This can be described as a maturing or 'growing up' without jettisoning the emotional equity that exists.

"Accepting that Walter Scott's Ivanhoe story has some awkward connotations, the Ivanhoe name still has a positive perception in the local area and therefore will be retained.

"The initial phase will be to stabilise the current brand by the production and implementing a set of brand guidelines to provide consistency for all communications and customer touch points."