Hundreds of people have opposed plans to change the name of John Madejski Academy (JMA) in Reading.
Greenshaw Learning Trust, which took over the secondary school on Hartland Road in January, announced JMA would become Hartland High School from September.
The academy was named after Sir John Madejski, former owner of Reading Football Club, when it opened in 2010. Madejski donated £3 million towards its opening and described the financing as ‘his proudest achievement’.
But it had been rated ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in 2023 and served a termination warning notice from the Department for Education.
Now, 486 people have signed a petition against the name change, arguing it will ‘put the school at odds with the local community’.
A petition set up by Rob Wilson said: “Sir John Madejski has made an enormous and lasting contribution to Reading across sports, culture and education.
“He believes it is one of the best things he has ever done.”
The petition organiser accused Greenshaw Learning Trust of having ‘very little consultation’ in removing Madejski’s name from the school, which has been ‘very disappointing’.
“This is both expensive and unnecessary and will put the school at odds with the local community,” Mr Wilson said.
Greenshaw Learning Trust said the renaming marks a ‘significant and symbolic step forward in the journey of ongoing school improvement’.
The new name reflects ‘a shared vision and ambition to build a brighter, bolder future’ for staff, students and the wider community, the trust added.
The trust said the decision follows a community-wide consultation and vote, which involved staff, parents, carers, governes and members of the wider community.
The trust is responsible for 36 schools across the south west and south east of England, including six in Berkshire.
Greenshaw was also announced in March to take over the nearby Oakbank Secondary School in Ryeish Green.
Oakbank was found to be ‘inadequate’ on all counts by Ofsted in February, ran by Anthem Schools Trust at the time.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has approached Greenshaw asking whether a similar name change could take place for Oakbank School.
Jonathan Heap, headteacher, and Dean Ackland, head of school at JMA, said: “We are delighted to unveil the new name for our school. Hartland High School represents a fresh start and a renewed commitment to excellence, inclusivity and opportunity.
“This change is more than just a new name – it’s a statement of who we are and where we are going.”
The name change for JMA will come into effect from September 2025.
