Parents set for victory over 'saint' school name

Council bosses under fire over their plan to drop the word "saint" from a Church school's name are preparing to back down.

Islington council provoked furious protests from parents when it proposed changing the name of St Mary Magdalene Primary School to avoid offending Muslims and Jews.

But Liberal Democrat leader of the council Steve Hitchens admitted the original name was by far the most popular choice for when the school becomes part of a new City Academy in 2007. And he said that if the name changes, it is still likely to be Christian.

The new school, backed by £2 million from the Church of England, could be named after one of the archangels - Gabriel, Raphael, Michael and Uriel - recognised by Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Today, parents at the school were angry about the council's "politically correct" actions.

Karen Tester, mother of pupils Lauren, 10, and Jodie, seven, said: "Many of us feel we are being victimised for our faith. That must be wrong. It's our school, why don't they take our feelings into account? It stinks."

The school's headmaster John Stewart said: "The school reflects the community it serves and it's predominantly Christian here."

Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council, said: "I do not think any Muslim would object to keeping the name St Mary Magdalene."