John Madejski Academy
John Madejski Academy (formerly Thamesbridge College) is an academy in Reading, Berkshire, England. It specialises in sport[1] and has a capacity for 950 students aged 11–18, although only 633 students are currently enrolled.[2] It is sponsored by Reading Football Club chairman John Madejski.[1]
| John Madejski Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
| |
Hartland Road , , RG2 8AF | |
| Coordinates | 51.425709°N 0.961286°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Religious affiliation(s) | None |
| Established | 2006 |
| Founder | John Madejski |
| Local authority | Reading |
| Specialist | Sports Academy |
| Department for Education URN | 130247 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Head teacher | Camilla Thornalley |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Enrolment | 633 |
| Capacity | 950 |
| Houses | Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire |
| Former name | Thamesbridge College |
| Website | johnmadejskiacademy |
History
The academy was officially established on 1st September 2006 following the closure of its 11-16 predecessor, Thamesbridge College.[3] Thamesbridge College was previously known as Ashmead School.[4][5] It was officially opened by Tony Blair on 5th December 2007.[1][6]
The new buildings were opened in 2010, with Sir John Madejski cutting the ribbon.
In 2017, Madejski described financing the academy as "his proudest achievement".[7]
Performance
The school has suffered from weak teaching[8] and poor leadership[9] since 2008.[2] In November 2015, the school was put into special measures by Ofsted for the second time in three years.[1][2] The school had previously been in special measures under its former name of Thamesbridge College in 1998.[1]
The school was ranked the second-worst secondary school in Berkshire in October 2020 by the Real Schools Guide, just above Theale Green School, and was given the overall rank in England of 2 923/3 181.[10][11]
Some staff members have responded to negative depictions of the school, with JMA's head of creative and performing arts, Tommy Robinson, calling it "the best school in Reading."[12] The school has been praised and won awards at both local and national levels for its sports and performing arts achievements.[12][13]
Architecture
The building was designed by international architecture firm Wilkinson Eyre[14] and it was shortlisted for an award at the World Architecture Festival 2008.[15]
Alumni
References
- "Madejski Academy special measures for a second time". BBC News. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk, Ofsted Communications Team (13 November 2020). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/909627
- Hughes, Lorna (23 August 2020). "Where celebrities who grew up in Berkshire live now". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- Fort, Hugh (19 May 2015). "Pick of the Past: Ashmead School carnival in 1985". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- BBC. "Blair opens Madejski Academy". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- Low, Jonathan (15 January 2017). "Sir John Madejski: I've lost hundreds of millions but I'm happy". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/1922251
- https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/2534874
- Aldridge, James; Miller, Claire (26 October 2020). "Every Berkshire secondary school ranked from best to worst". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Two Reading schools named among the worst in England". InYourArea.co.uk. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Reading teacher says education is about more than grades". InYourArea.co.uk. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Achievements". Achievements. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "John Madejski Academy". WilkinsonEyre.Architects. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- "John Madejski Academy". World Buildings Directory. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
