Oldhill School celebrates its new name and logo with kite-flying day – as another local link to slavery is excised

A primary school in Stamford Hill recently celebrated its historic renaming with a day of kite-flying in Springfield Park.

Oldhill Community School and Children’s Centre was previously known as Tyssen School, after Francis Tyssen, a 17th-century Dutch merchant who owned a plantation in Antigua but lived in London.

The Tyssen family held shares in the Royal African Company, and Francis was an active member in the East India and Royal African Companies.

For a time, the Royal African Company held a monopoly on trade with West Africa – including the buying, selling, forced transportation and, frequently, the murdering of enslaved Africans.

The Tyssen name was identified as part of the council’s Review, Rename, Reclaim project.

Deputy Mayor Anntoinette Bramble, who is also cabinet member for education, young people and children’s social care, said: “It was an absolute joy to spend time with the brilliant staff, students and parents at Oldhill for a kite-flying session in the sunshine on Springfield Park. 

“The enthusiasm of the children was infectious and it was great to see them throwing themselves into a creative project illustrating a landmark moment in the school’s history. 

“This is a shining example of how the council’s work  – from Review, Rename, Reclaim, to our Black history curriculum – can inspire Hackney’s other organisations to push for change.”

The school held a consultation with parents and children last year after Tyssen’s slavery links were uncovered. 

The overwhelming majority of respondents were in favour of removing the old name, and the school was given a new moniker after the street on which it is located.

The school received a £15,000 grant to update signs, uniforms and notices following the change, and Hackney Council led interactive design workshops with the children to help land a new logo – a kite.

Oldhill headteacher Jackie Benjamin said: “We chose the kite as the new symbol for our school as kites symbolise freedom and aiming high. 

“Seeing the children enthusiastically trying to get their kites off the ground and persevering until they were able to take flight is exactly what we want from our children; perseverance and the eagerness to get the best possible outcomes.

“This is a new beginning for the Oldhill community and we will always aim to achieve more.”

Review, Rename, Reclaim is a collaboration between the council, community leaders, cultural experts, teachers and young people.

The project’s first success came in the summer when Cassland Road Gardens was renamed Kit Crowley Gardens.