Dog Kennel Hill School to change name

[Vik]

From the school newsletter:

 

A New Name for Dog Kennel Hill

As you know we have been discussing and consulting with stakeholders about a 

name change at DKH for a while. Following engagement with staff, pupils and 

families, we gathered all views on a name change for the school and after 

careful consideration of the feedback, the Local Committee and the Trust have 

agreed with changing the school name to Grove Primary School from 

September 2025. 

Over the next few months we will begin a gradual process of changing our 

name on signage, our website and emails etc. We will keep you updated. 

We will be looking at designing a new logo to match the new school name and 

will be working closely with a graphic designer to get creative. The school 

council will be actively involved in this process. We will share the results with 

you as soon as a design has been agreed and confirmed. We will be creating a 

new school jumper to replace the old one, once the logo has been finalised. We 

will phase this in over time. 

We know that this is a welcoming change for some and that there are 

parents and children who will be sad about the change. However, as a school 

we think it will be a positive change for our school community and we will 

work together to ensure that the ethos and culture of DKH will remain!

[alice]

Why change it?  You’ve got a fantastic historic, memorable name and you want to change it for something innocuous,  meaningless and empty

Edited July 24, 2025 by alice
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[Jenijenjen]

What is the reason for the change in name? Just curious.

[Forest Hill Climber]

48 minutes ago, alice said:

Why change it?  You’ve got a fantastic historic, memorable name and you want to change it for something innocuous,  meaningless and empty

Certainly unique, can't argue with that.

[Vik]

I have heard claims that people don't send their children there because of the name of the school..?  I genuinely cannot get my head around this one.

The school is named after the road it is on which is named after the history of the area!

 'Grove Primary School' is potentially the most boring name they could have come up with, and for a school struggling financially, is rebranding the school really the best use of funds? 

[alice]

A quick Google says that it is not undersubscribed unlike many subject schools so those claims mentioned above may not be true. Last Ofsted was good.  You are definitely right about the money. This is what trusts do.

9 minutes ago, alice said:

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15 minutes ago, alice said:

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I can’t edit my ridiculous errors but would like to apologise  for messy post

[beansprout]

Now I have heard everything…..not send your kid to a school because you don’t like the name - so to get my head around this, if school is outstanding, parents won’t send their child there because of name of school? Or have I not understood?

[Spartacus]

I wonder how much the rebranding is costing in total? 

Could the money be used in a better way ? 

[CPR Dave]

Some people don't like dogs, or dog kennels. I don't.

[Pugwash]

Some of us oldies would associate Grove with the old Grove Vale School (which I went to in the 1950s)

[FatherJack]

5 hours ago, alice said:

A quick Google says that it is not undersubscribed unlike many subject schools so those claims mentioned above may not be true. Last Ofsted was good.  You are definitely right about the money. This is what trusts do.

Remove word ‘subject’ above

Remove word ‘subject’ above

I can’t edit my ridiculous errors but would like to apologise  for messy post

DKH was two form entry, it is now one form entry to cope with the fact it was far more under subscribed than other schools in the area. They had actually combined year groups into single classes, 3/4 and 5/6. 

When a school changes name, it’s usually because of a bad reputation perhaps the results. 

The new name is dry with no history unlike its current name. It’s a very sketchy decision. It’s an expensive vanity project for someone. 

What  will happen if the name change does not increase applications to the school? 

 

 

[OutOfFocus]

Its almost the same as Grove Vale School , now Goose Green School.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Dog kennel isn't a great name for a school. I agree that it's ridiculous for the name to put anyone off going there, but don't see any issue with them rebranding if the parents and children prefer a new name.

The school is surrounded by historical 'groves' (reflected in the names of Camberwell Grove, Grove park and Grove Vale for example), so it's not a totally random name. 

Edited July 25, 2025 by Earl Aelfheah

[Angelina]

Has anyone from the school commented? Have they said why?

Is it a fresh start?

Is it that Grove in the name may have connotations of wealth and they want to attract more applicants from a wider area?

Is that it currently is linked to the DKH Estate? 

[spider69]

Suspect you have hit the nail on the head

[tiddles]

What ridiculous waste of money