Change a child's name on school and college records
General UK name-change information, not individual legal advice. Requirements can vary by organisation and UK jurisdiction; where a decision matters, check the relevant official guidance.
Schools and colleges keep a pupil's registered name on their records and report it to exam boards. When you change a child's name, tell the school promptly with evidence so registers, reports and exam certificates show the correct name.
Telling the school
Write to the headteacher or school office enclosing a copy of the child's deed poll and, where relevant, confirmation that everyone with parental responsibility agrees. The school will update its management information system, registers and reports.
Exam certificates
Exam boards issue certificates in the name the school registers. Tell the school well before exam entries are finalised. If the name changes after results are issued, you can usually ask the exam board to reissue a certificate on production of a deed poll.
Older students
For 16–17 year olds the young person can usually change their own name; see our guide for older teenagers. Colleges generally update their records on the same evidence as schools.
Frequently asked questions
Will the school change my child's name?▼
Yes — once you provide evidence of the name change (usually a deed poll and, where applicable, the consent of everyone with parental responsibility), the school will update its records to show your child's new name.
What about exam certificates?▼
Schools report a pupil's registered name to exam boards. Tell the school early so certificates are issued in the new name. If you change the name after exams, a new deed poll plus a request to the exam board is usually needed to reissue certificates.
Do I need parental consent to change a child's name at school?▼
For a child under 16, everyone with parental responsibility should agree. The school may ask for evidence of that consent. At 16–17, see our guide for older teenagers.
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