Trust responds as petition is launched over school name change
A consultation on the change is underway
Parents and pupils from Stroud have voiced their discontent over a proposed name change for the area's oldest secondary school, Marling School.
Founded in 1887 and named in honour of Sir Samuel Marling, the school could soon be renamed Lift Marling as part of a potential merger with the Lift Schools Trust.
The Trust oversees 59 schools nationwide and the name change is part of broader merger plans.
A petition calling to preserve the school’s name has received over 1,600 signatures.
The petition states: "For nearly 140 years, Marling School has been part of the identity, heritage and history of Stroud. Generations of pupils, parents, teachers and local families have passed through its doors, building the reputation and character that make the school what it is today.
"We are deeply concerned by proposals to rename the school from “Marling School” to “Lift Marling” as part of its proposed merger into Lift Schools.
"This is not just a minor administrative change. A school’s name carries history, pride, reputation and continuity. “Marling” means something to this community because it has stood independently for well over a century. That identity was not created by an academy trust, and it should not be diluted to promote one.
"If the trust changes again in future, does the school name change again too? Our children’s school should not become a rolling branding exercise tied to whichever organisation happens to manage it at a particular point in time.
"We are therefore calling on Lift Schools, governors and decision-makers to retain the historic “Marling School” name in full, respect the school’s longstanding heritage and independent identity, and consult meaningfully with parents, alumni and the wider Stroud community before any permanent branding changes are made."
Trust's response
A spokesperson for Lift Schools commented on the situation, and told us: "Listening to our families and communities is really important to us. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and we are keen to hear about these concerns directly."
"With the consultation process underway, we want to hear as many voices as possible and would encourage people to come along to our in-person meetings that will be running over the coming weeks."