A Christian school has removed the cross from its logo just two months after opening, sparking anger among parents.
The religious symbol has been quietly taken off the badge of Oak CE Primary School in Crosland Moor, which only opened on May 3.
The school – the largest primary in Huddersfield – was created by Kirklees Council’s merger of Crosland Moor Junior, Dryclough Infants and Thornton Lodge nursery schools.
Parents claim the school had a change of heart over the logo following complaints but Kirklees Council denied any complaints had been made and claimed the original logo was “temporary”.
The school’s oak tree logo featuring a cross was designed by a pupil following a competition among the three schools merged to form it.
It was adopted when the school launched after the Easter break and children were given stickers with it on to cover up their old school badges.
Headteacher, David Bendall, was photographed by the Examiner in front of a banner with the new logo.
But last week parents noticed the logo had changed when a school newsletter was sent out.
The religious imagery has been replaced by three branches of the tree.
The Examiner has been passed images that show school uniform was produced with the original religious logo but it is thought only a handful of samples were made and they were never put on sale.
A letter sent by Mr Bendall to parents on Monday, claimed the logo featuring the cross was never confirmed as the final version.
But parents have scoffed at his explanation and asked why the school would produce large banners with a short term design.
Some parents have said they will refuse to put their children in uniforms bearing the redesigned logo.
Niki Trepak, who has four children at the school, said: “Staff have said people have complained about the cross yet the head is saying it was only temporary.
“Why would you make temporary banners and produce temporary uniforms?”
The school is in a diverse area with a high Muslim population but Niki said she thought parents of all beliefs accepted that the school was a Church of England school.
She added: “I’ve got quite a few Muslim friends at the school and I asked them does the cross offend you and they said no.
“This isn’t about race, it’s the fact that they’ve removed the cross so as to not offend people.
“If it’s going to remain a Church of England school it should keep the cross.”
Another parent, Chelsea Fox, said she was upset that it appeared the cross had been deemed offensive.
She said: “The offensive card is always played and this one time I was proud of something, only to have it snatched back.
“I’m not only disappointed, I’m disgusted.
“Yes it has remained a Church of England school as it is the church that keeps it open. “That needs to be given more respect.
“Thank the church for your children’s school instead of complaining about a logo.”
Another mum branded the change as “disgusting”, adding: “...they will want all the crosses taken out of the school next.”
In a statement via Kirklees Council, headteacher David Bendall, said: “The logo featuring a cross was a temporary design whilst we made the transition to becoming Oak Primary School.
“It was not confirmed as the final logo and was amended to give more prominence to the tree, which not only reflects the school name but is also an ancient symbol representing many beliefs.
“Changing the design to include three branches also meant we could signify the way Oak Primary was formed, which was three schools joining together as one.
“The decision was made jointly by governors and the diocese and the change does not in any way alter the identity or ethos of our school.
“We are a very diverse community school and it’s central to our ethos that children of all backgrounds are treated exactly the same.
“We hope people will agree that a logo is only a symbol – a school’s qualities are not brought alive by a picture but by the thoughts and actions of the people within it.”
