Parents' anger over 'secret' rebrand of failing Telford academies

Sutherland Co-operative Academy, Wrockwardine Wood Arts Academy, Lakeside Academy and Phoenix Academy will all have new names from September.

But parents say they have not been asked about the rebranding.

Governors have announced that Phoenix Academy will be known as Telford Langley School. They would not confirm whether the other two new secondary schools would be renamed.

But an advert placed in the Shropshire Star shows the merged Sutherland and Wrockwardine school will be called The Telford Priory School, Oakengates, and the Lakeside Academy will be The Telford Park School, Stirchley.

All four schools were given the worst possible "inadequate" rating by Government inspectors and placed into special measures following inspections while under the management of Telford Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust.

They are all being taken over by Communities Academy Trust (CAT), which says the names will change after an "internal consultation".

Governors have announced that Phoenix Academy will be known as Telford Langley School.

They would not confirm whether the other two new secondary schools – which will see Sutherland and Wrockwardine merged into a single site near Oakengates Leisure Centre – would be renamed.

But, according to an advert placed in the Shropshire Star, the merged school will be called The Telford Priory School, Oakengates, and the Lakeside Academy will be The Telford Park School, Stirchley. The move has angered parents and Telford & Wrekin councillor Shaun Davies said he will host a meeting for people in Dawley about the name change at Phoenix Academy.

CAT bosses say the change is necessary to help signal a fresh start.

Peter Lawley, chairman of the Telford Co-operative Multi Academy Trust which still runs the four schools, said the name change at Phoenix was one of a number of issues being dealt with.

He said: "The timing of the change is linked to the time in the academic year and the need for change to coincide with a fresh start for all in September.

"Part of that is to find an image and name that places the schools at the centre of their community and we feel we've done that."

Councillor Davies, a former Phoenix pupil, said parents and residents should have been asked.

He urged residents, parents, staff and former pupils to attend a meeting about the issue at Dawley House on July 20.

The controversy follows news that one third of the 54 staff to be axed at Sutherland Co-operative Academy, Wrockwardine Wood Arts Academy, Lakeside Academy and Phoenix Academy have been made compulsorily redundant.