Hundreds oppose school's proposed name change

The name change is set to be implemented at the current John Madejski Academy from September

Hundreds of people have signed a petition opposing plans to change the name of a school in Reading.

The John Madejski Academy - named after the businessman and former Reading FC owner who donated £3m towards its opening in 2010 - is set to become Hartland High School from September.

This decision comes after it was rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2023 and served a termination warning notice by the Department for Education.

Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT), which took over the secondary school on Hartland Road in January, said the renaming marked a "significant and symbolic step forward in the journey of ongoing school improvement".

Sir John Madejski donated £3m to the school ahead of it opening in 2010

Former Conservative MP for Reading West Rob Wilson set up a petition calling for the change to be reversed.

"This is both expensive and unnecessary and will put the school at odds with the local community," Mr Wilson said.

But GLT said the new name reflected "a shared vision and ambition to build a brighter, bolder future" for staff, students and the wider community.

It said the name change followed a community-wide consultation and vote, which involved staff, parents, carers, governors and residents.