A SCHOOL has taken on the name of a legendary beast and a pledge to ‘never yield’ as it begins a new era of education under fresh management.
Darlington School of Mathematics and Science has been renamed by popular demand Wyvern Academy after been taken over by Consilium Academies.
Recently appointed head teacher Mo Wilkinson will now forge ahead with ambitious plans to transform the fortunes of the school which serves the West End of Darlington.
The Wyvern is a legendary creature with a dragon's head and wings, a reptilian body, two legs and a tail. It has a long association with Branksome Hall, the home of John Kitching, railway entrepreneur and founder of Darlington Unionist Association.
The Kitching family crest originally contained a knight’s helmet and shield with three logos but John removed the helmet, added the wyvern for protection and the motto "Nunquam cedo", which means "I never yield".
Mrs Wilkinson said: “We asked members of the school and wider community what they would like to call the academy and the Wyvern was the most popular choice.
“The long association with Branksome Hall and the fact our school magazine is also called the Wyvern make it the perfect choice and this puts the school back at the heart of the community.”
Ward councillor for Cockerton Dave Regan, who helped research the link, said: “All three of my children chose to come to this school and the prospects for its future are very exciting.”
Consilium Academies work in partnership with Armthorpe Academy, near Doncaster, Buile Hill Visual Arts College, Moorside High and Ellesmere Park academies all in Salford.
Wyvern Academy will be the trust’s first school in the North-East and act as a hub for future expansion in the region.
Executive director Martin Shevill said: “Our motto is to ‘surround children with all things noble’, which is a whole-education approach to learning. We want to improve results, yes, but it is also about making sure children enjoy their education and are fully prepared for the world they will go on to live in.”
The trust’s executive director for business and finance Sonia Johnson added: “There is a great deal of interest in Consilium because of our ethos and approach to learning. We are really looking forward to pressing ahead with our work in Darlington and the North-East.”