During the course of a life characterised by commercial success and philanthropy, he’s been garlanded with an OBE and a knighthood – not to mention an invitation to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.
So Sir John Madejski, 84, revered in his Berkshire hometown as ‘Mr Reading’ – not least for taking the local football club from obscurity to the Premier League – may be surprised to learn that his name is freighted with ‘reputational risk’.
The extraordinary and unjustified slur appeared in a report by the Greenshaw Learning Trust which, this year, assumed control of Reading’s John Madejski Academy – the school he financed to the tune of £3million. Opened by Tony Blair in 2007, it was, Sir John later reflected, ‘the greatest accomplishment’ of his life – a heartfelt appraisal given that, aside from making a £400million fortune, he had also been Chancellor of Reading University.
But that meant nothing to the Greenshaw Learning Trust, which erased his name from the academy last month following a ‘consultation’ which is now coming under intense scrutiny.
Before the process began, members of the local governing body were handed a report – a copy of which has been sent to me. It asserted that a name reflecting ‘the community rather than an individual… mitigates the risk of any reputational risk to the school’.
Pippa Middleton and Sir John Madejski in 2013. His name has now been erased from a school which he financed
Stating that ‘parents and students will have the opportunity to vote on three suggestions’, it added: ‘Once the new name has been confirmed, we plan a large opening ceremony event.’
The process was described rather differently to Sir John, who had recently visited the academy at the trust’s invitation, when no mention was made of its plans. A letter to him from Will Smith, the trust’s chief executive, stated: ‘If there is to be a name change following the consultation, I would very much like to do it with your support.’ When asked for the number of votes cast in favour of each potential name, the trust replies, instead, by stating that 41 per cent of pupils voted to retain ‘John Madejski Academy’, compared with 39 percent for ‘Hartland High School’.
For parents and other ‘community members’, 40 per cent favoured Hartland High and 33.3 per cent the existing name.
Intriguingly, there were 396 pupils on the school roll and 90 responses from parents and ‘community members’ – meaning the total number of votes cast for John Madejski Academy was 192 against 190 for Hartland High. Despite this – and despite a petition which 1,400 signed demanding that the academy retain its name – Hartland High was selected.
It puts the bill for the name change at £11,000 – a figure which grossly understates the full cost, allege critics.
Sir John declines to comment, other than to reflect ruefully: ‘No good turn goes unpunished.’
- Intrigue in the literary world over Charlie Redmayne’s resignation yesterday as CEO of publisher HarperCollins. No details were given about his departure after 12 years there. Eton-educated Charlie is a half-brother of Oscar-winning actor Eddie, but once told me: ‘Eddie’s not cool. None of the Redmayne boys are.’ Their great-grandfather, Sir Richard Redmayne, was the first Chief Inspector of Mines.
How BBC snub ‘broke’ Rik Mayall
Shortly before Rik Mayall’s death, the comedian was snubbed by the BBC.
His friend Ben Elton reveals in his memoir, What Have I Done?, that he was told Mayall could not star in the sitcom he had written for him, The Wright Way.
‘Rik was so excited,’ Elton says. ‘He loved the character and the script.’
Mayall, known for his roles in hit 1980s shows, auditioned for the role in 2012. But the BBC told Elton ‘they wanted the show but they didn’t want Rik. [It] was for BBC1 and family viewing and they just thought the mix was too wild. It was an awful shock’. Mayall died 18 months later aged 56.
As Foreign Secretary, Sir Jeremy Hunt once mistakenly labelled Slovenia a former ‘Soviet vassal state’. And the Tory MP admits at The Oldie Literary Lunch: ‘I knew absolutely nothing about foreign policy. That happens in democratic politics. When they made me health secretary, I didn’t know anything about health.’ Sir Jeremy, 58, explains about his new book, Can We Be Great Again? Why A Dangerous World Needs Britain: ‘It’s the book I wish I’d been given the day I became foreign secretary.’
Serene send-off by Wills’ pal
Indian billionaire Sunjay Kapur, who died playing polo at Guards Polo Club for his Aureus team in June
Prince William’s ex-girlfriend Rose Farquhar brought some serenity to a memorial service for Kapur when she sang John Lennon’s Imagine at St Andrew’s in Leighterton, Gloucestershire
Accusations of a forged will and a £1billion court battle rage over the estate of Indian billionaire Sunjay Kapur, who died playing polo at Guards Polo Club for his Aureus team in June.
Prince William’s ex-girlfriend Rose Farquhar brought some serenity to a memorial service for Kapur when she sang John Lennon’s Imagine at St Andrew’s in Leighterton, Gloucestershire.
The reception afterwards was held at Beaufort Polo Club. Kapur, 53, chairman of car parts giant Sona Comstar, died after reportedly swallowing a bee, causing anaphylactic shock which led to a heart attack.
Jodie’s baby talk is turning heads
Jodie Turner-Smith wore a skin-tight leather outfit for Monday’s screening of Tron: Ares in LA
Graham Norton allegedly stepped in to stop her awkward line of questioning towards pop star Taylor Swift during last Friday’s episode of his BBC show
Jodie Turner-Smith, who hit the headlines when she played Anne Boleyn in a racy drama about Henry VIII’s second wife, captured attention at the premiere for her latest film.
The Peterborough-born actress, 39, wore a skin-tight leather outfit for Monday’s screening of Tron: Ares in LA.
It comes after Graham Norton allegedly stepped in to stop her awkward line of questioning towards pop star Taylor Swift during last Friday’s episode of his BBC show.
The pair appeared on the red sofa, where Taylor, 35, spoke about her engagement to American Football player Travis Kelce.
An audience member claims there was an ‘uncomfortable’ moment cut from the broadcast in which Jodie asked the singer about her baby plans.
Food is never on my mind, says Priscilla
Priscilla Presley has revealed her secret to staying slim at 80. ‘I don’t eat,’ jokes the widow of Rock ‘n’ Roll King Elvis Presley. ‘I’ve never had a big appetite – it’s a waste of time for me. I’ve been the same weight for years.’ The former Dallas star is keen to tread the boards again in Britain for a pantomime. ‘I did panto in London a few years ago, which I loved. I’m really trying to get back in, so get the message out.’ Oh, yes I will!
