Mill Field Primary Academy is to become 'Alder Tree Primary' from September 2021

The event marked an exciting new chapter in our school’s history as it begins its rapid improvement journey. The Trust has already worked with the school to develop a new curriculum and improve the facilities. 

The school will officially become “Alder Tree Primary” at the start of the new academic year, where we plan to invite pupils, parents and members of the local community to a larger welcome and celebration event on Wednesday 8th September. At this event, all pupils will be provided with free branded uniform items and an Alder Tree will be planted to mark the occasion.

The new brand for the school was developed by the Trust’s own marketing team and the name was chosen following an extensive research and consultation process. 

The name ‘Alder Tree Primary’ was by far the most popular with all stakeholders, probably because it has many interesting meanings, mythology and historical references behind it.

‘Alder’ has origins in the local area as Potternewton once included Allerton Gledhow. The name Allerton comes from the Old English alor, an alder tree, in its genitive plural form alra, and the word tūn, meaning 'farmstead of the alder trees'.

The Alder Tree will become a strong symbol for our school: it has a wide variety of inspiring and positive connotations relating to imagination, confidence and strength. When the tree is cut it bleeds a purple shade, which is also the main colour for the school’s brand.

Another popular reason for the school community choosing the name ‘Alder Tree’ is that it is known to be the tree that fairies love! We think that this is perfect name for our primary school with our  ‘learning through play’ ethos. This is why one of the activities we ran on the day was painting fairy doors!

Commenting on the special event, Kate Burton, our Principal said: 

“We are so thankful to the White Rose Academies Trust for organising this fabulous event today to introduce the new name of the school to our students, staff and also the wider community. The screams of excitement from the children when they saw the new name in the sky were amazing!

  

“We are now excited to be able to welcome members of our wider community safely to our school site on 8th September, where we will be hosting an even bigger event to launch our new school - Alder Tree Primary! 

Commenting on the journey to unveiling the school’s new name, Christian Wilcocks, Executive Principal for the White Rose Academies Trust, said:

“It’s been an exciting journey for the school since December 2020. Our Central Trust Team have been working hard on a full rebrand for the school with many months spent consulting widely with key stakeholders including parents, staff, governors and, of course, most importantly, the pupils.

“The unveiling of the new name is just one milestone on the school’s journey of transformation with many more to come. The school has been on a dramatic journey ever since it joined our family of schools, and we are deeply excited about the future.” 

This news was also covered in the Yorkshire Evening Post: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/education/primary-school-in-leeds-reveals-its-new-name-to-pupils-and-staff-using-an-aeroplane-flying-over-the-playground-3315201