John Madejski Academy (JMA) is an 11–19 years old academy in

Reading Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of symbols, often specifically those of a written language, by means of Visual perception, sight or Somatosensory system, touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifacete ...

Berkshire Berkshire ( ; abbreviated ), officially the Royal County of Berkshire, is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Oxfordshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the north-east, Greater London ...

, England. JMA formed part of the White Horse Federation Trust until 2025, where it is now part of the Greenshaw Learning Trust. Michael Millner became the principal of JMA in July 2023. JMA's curriculum includes technology, music, textiles, computing, physical education, history, geography, drama, PSHE (personal, social, health, and economic education), art, science, English, and mathematics.

History

The academy was officially established on 1 September 2006 following the closure of its 11-16 predecessor, Thamesbridge College. Thamesbridge College was previously known as Ashmead School. It was officially opened by

Tony Blair Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He was Leader ...

on 5 December 2007. 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". The academy last achieved a "good"

Ofsted The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) is a non-ministerial department of His Majesty's government, reporting to Parliament. Ofsted's role is to make sure that organisations providing education, training ...

inspection outcome in 2008. It was found to be "inadequate" in its most recent full inspection in October 2023. Following this, the academy received a termination warning notice from the Regional Director at the

Department for Education The Department for Education (DfE) is a Departments of the Government of the United Kingdom, ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for child protection, child services, education in England, educati ...

. In January 2025 the academy was transferred from the White Horse Federation to Greenshaw Learning Trust, to enable the academy to benefit from close collaboration with the Trust’s other schools. In September 2025 the academy is to be renamed to Hartland High School following a community consultation and vote.

Architecture

The building was designed by international architecture firm

Wilkinson Eyre WilkinsonEyre is an international architecture practice based in London, England. In 1983 Chris Wilkinson founded Chris Wilkinson Architects, he partnered with Jim Eyre in 1987 and the practice was renamed WilkinsonEyre in 1999. The practice ...

and it was shortlisted for an award at the World Architecture Festival 2008.

References

External links

* Educational institutions established in 2005 Secondary schools in Reading, Berkshire 2005 establishments in England {{Berkshire-school-stub