The school said the move came about as a result of "comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people".
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A secondary school specialising in performing arts has removed Harry Potter author JK Rowling as a house name.
The school said the move came about as a result of "comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people".
The Boswells School in Chelmsford honoured Rowling following her creation of Harry Potter for one of its in-school groups.
It has now emerged that Dame Kelly Holmes replaced the author over summer following controversial comments made about trans people.
The school had announced plans to review a potential name change in July following "requests from students and staff".
In a newsletter seen by MailOnline, the school said: "The Boswells House System embeds a sense of community, friendship and healthy competition amongst both students and staff.
"A strong house identity empowers our students to participate and thrive in all aspects of school life, both in and out of the classroom. Here at the Boswells we have 6 Houses which are represented by British citizens who have excelled in an area of our Boswells Learning Bridge which includes integrity, emotional intelligence, grit, resourcefulness, self-discipline and bravery.
"However, following numerous requests by students and staff we are reviewing the name of our red house ‘Rowling’ and in light of J.K Rowling’s comments and viewpoints surrounding trans people. Her views on this issue do not align with our school policy and school beliefs – a place where people are free to be".
In September, it was announced that from names put forward by staff members, the whole school had selected Dame Kelly Holmes.
One parent described the move as "'censorship" and argued that "JK Rowling is a good example of achievement through adversity".
The school had previously praised the 56-year-old when she was first announced as the house name, with headteacher Kevin Mansell praising her for the "'the much-loved series of seven Harry Potter novels".
Other house names paying respect to Sir David Attenbrough, Charlotte Bronte, John Travers Cornwell VC, Stephen Hawking and Florence Nightingale are still in place.
Rowling, 56, has faced criticism after she mocked an article that referred to "people who menstruate" instead of "women".
The author has since denied she is transphobic, saying in a 2020 Tweet: "I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.
"I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so."
