Parents and members of the local community are outraged at plans to change the name of Osmani School to Vallance School from September. Parents were informed of the change in a letter on the 12th January. There has been no consultation with parents, children or the community on the change. 

Local campaigner Elaine Bagshaw said: "This is an outrageous and unnecessary move. Osmani School received a "good with outstanding features" rating from Ofsted, so why isn't the school publicising that rather than trying to change the name? 

Osmani School is named after a key figure in Bangladesh's history. It's important that our local community keeps these links to its heritage and celebrates them. The move has caused a huge amount of upset to parents and the local community. I and the local Liberal Democrats will be working with parents and people from across the political spectrum to make sure the Osmani School stays."

At a public meeting last night, attended by Liberal Democrat Elaine Bagshaw and representatives from The People's Alliance, parents and community leaders made it clear that this change would hurt them as a community and said they felt attacked. We hope that the school staff and governors listen to their voices and overturn the decision.

Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani (Bengali: মুহাম্মদ আতাউল গনি ওসমানী; 1 September 1918 – 16 February 1984), also known as Bangabir (the Hero of Bengal), was a Bengali four star general who was commander-in-chief of the Mukti Bahini during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Osmani's career spanned five decades, beginning with service in the British Indian Army in 1939. He fought in Burma during World War II, and served in the Pakistan Army until 1967. Osmani was appointed head of the Bengali armed resistance in 1971 by the Provisional Government of Bangladesh, and he is regarded as the founder of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. General Osmani retired in 1972. You can read more about him here.