PARENTS of pupils at Padgate High School have spoken out about their shock at the shot-gun name change of the establishment.

Last week the Warrington Guardian revealed that the Insall Road school will be renamed Lysander High School in September following a four figure cash injection from Warrington Borough Council towards the overall cost.

The name is based on the Westland Lysander aircraft, which is believed to have been built on the former Padgate airbase.

The rebrand was chosen to integrate the two communities that it will serve since the announced closure of Woolston High School in 2012.

Parents, pupils, senior teaching staff, governors and the council were involved in the consultation process.

One parent who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “My son only received a letter on April 2 before he finished school telling us of the name change. I am really annoyed there has been no consultation.

“I feel the name is crazy, the kids wanted Phoenix High. They have disregarded the kids’ opinions all together.”

The parent said she had researched the name Lysander and found that the plane was based in Chester and was weak and vulnerable and had to be rebuilt several times before it was effective.

“I have put it to the school that they must think the children are weak and vulnerable - that is why they have been ignored,” she added.

She has written a letter to the school asking if anything can be done to change the name and whether the children can have an input in the school’s emblem.

She asked why Phoenix High - one of the proposed names - was not selected to represent the new beginnings of the phoenix rising from the ashes.

Another parent said he was also notified about the change just before the Easter holidays. He said he was given three days to comment on what appears to have already been decided.

He said: ”The catchment area of the school is not a wealthy one and many of those parents are on benefits and would budget for blazers etc to last for at least two years.

“This, I am sure, is one of the points that would have been brought up if parents had been consulted sooner.

“I cannot help but feel that this displays contempt for parents.”