Plan to change 139-year-old school's name dropped

A proposal to change a 139-year-old school's name as part of a merger with an academy trust has been dropped.

Marling School, a grammar school in Stroud in Gloucestershire, has been carrying out a consultation on the proposed merger with multi-academy trust Lift Schools which would have seen its name changed to Lift Marling.

More than 2,700 people signed a petition against the proposal - arguing the name should not be "diluted to promote a "trust.

Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust, which manages the school, wrote to parents on 11 June confirming the merger will still go ahead but Marling School's name will not change due to the "strength of feeling" from those consulted.

The school is the oldest in Stroud, and was set up in 1887 by local cloth manufacturer and Liberal Party politician Sir Samuel Marling.

The trust confirmed Marling School's logo and uniform will also not be changed.

It voted in the autumn of 2024 to merge with Lift Schools because of financial pressures.

According to the letter sent to parents, the Department for Education approved the trust's bid to join Lift schools from September 2026.

The letter said: "While there were a range of views expressed, there was broad recognition of the financial and operational challenges that we face as a trust, and the opportunities that joining a larger trust could provide through increased capacity, resilience and school improvement support.

"The consultation highlighted the strength of feeling about Marling School's name, heritage and identity."

It added: "This is an important milestone and an exciting opportunity for the school."

The other three schools run by the trust are Berkeley Primary School, Callowell Primary School and Cam Woodfield Junior School.

Duncan Cook, CEO of Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust, said the government approval represents a "positive next step" and "ensures the long term stability of our schools".

Lift Schools runs 59 schools across the country.

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