Sittingbourne Community College has changed its name.

But the switch to The Sittingbourne School took effect with hardly any fanfare.

Principal Yvette Peden said: "We didn't want to make a big deal about it. Nothing about the school is changing but the name is no longer appropriate."

It will mean new blazers and ties for all 1,100 pupils when they return after the summer holidays in August but the school has agreed to shoulder the cost.

The change coincides with the school's 25th anniversary.

Ms Peden said: "During this time, the school has grown considerably. Although we take great pride in our heritage, celebrating our achievements, creativity and excellence, there are some things that do need to be changed to better express what the school stands for today including modernising the uniform and changing the name to The Sittingbourne School.

"As a community college we were a centre of further education for adults.

"Community Colleges are now very much a thing of the past. It has now been many years since we delivered adult education on our site.

"We are very much a school, not a college, particularly given that all students must now stay in education until they are 18.

"Additionally, the name change from ‘community’ to ‘school’ is in line with the other secondaries belonging to Swale Academies Trust."

The new uniforms for the school in Swanstree Avenue school feature a dark, navy blue blazer with the new school logo. They can be ordered from Forster’s shops in Sittingbourne and Sheerness.

It has been introduced after consultation with parents and pupils to "strengthen and build on the existing sense of pride, identity and community" and to "modernise and consolidate our identity as part of the Swale Academies Trust".

The Trust was formed in 2010 and has a portfolio of nine schools including Westlands and Regis Manor Primary School in Sittingbourne and the Whitstable School.

Sittingbourne Community College, rated 'Good' by Ofsted, specialises in performing and creative arts and vocational subjects for pupils aged 11 to 19.

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