VOTE’S PLAYED ‘MERRY HELL’ WITH SCHOOLS

Concerns raised over name’s ‘connotations’

A PUBLIC poll to rename two schools has had to be abandoned at the 11th hour – as the most popular choice sounded like ‘merry hell’.

University Academy Kidsgrove and neighbouring University Primary Academy Kidsgrove were taken over by a new sponsor last month after the previous multi-academy chain folded.

But the plan to re-launch them under fresh identities – reflecting the views of the local community – has now proved problematic.

The shortlist had included ‘Maryhill’, which was the name they were both known by before becoming academies several years ago.

Now Jo Morgan, chief executive officer of the schools’ sponsor Shaw Education Trust, has revealed that entry - which attracted the most online votes - has divided opinion.

In a letter to parents, she said: “The chief concerns centred around the historical connotations of the name – Merry Hell, Mary Hell etc – and the old schools’ very mixed performance. The name appears to really split the community, with some folk very keen, and others absolutely against it.”

As a result, the trust has decided to ask pupils, parents and staff to pick the winning entry in a brand new vote.

They have been given just two choices this time round – Tower Hill Primary/secondary, inspired by the water tower that used to be based at a local colliery; or Kidsgrove Primary/ Secondary.

Voting began last week and closes at 4pm today. In the event of a draw, the winner will be picked via a toss of a coin.

In the previous online poll, the top entries were Maryhill Academy/ School, Kidsgrove Academy/school, Castle View School and Gloucester Road School.

But some families are not happy their original choice has been vetoed. One person, who did not want to be named, told The Sentinel: “This is bang out of order.”

In a statement today, the trust stressed it wanted to involve the community in key decisions.

It added: “We recognise that some local folk were keen to return to the name Maryhill. However, other community members felt this would be a regressive step due to negative connotations and interpretations of the name. We are, however, very keen that the final name reflects the heritage and history of the area.”