Armada hero Sir Francis Drake has been cancelled by a primary school named after him over his links to the slave trade. Sir Francis Drake Primary School in Deptford, south east London, has changed its name to Twin Oaks Primary School following a poll of parents, teachers and pupils.
The school was originally named after the famous explorer who was knighted in Deptford in 1581 before helping defeat the Spanish Armada’s invasion of England in 1588. Headteacher Karen Cartwright said she was “thrilled” with the name change which she described as an “exciting new chapter.”
The school said 89 per cent of 450 parents, staff, pupils and local residents had voted in favour of changing its name. The new name was originally suggested by pupils because two oak trees grow around its entrance.
