A century of history will be “wiped out” by plans to change the name of a Kenley primary school set to be absorbed by an academy chain, opponents have claimed.

Roke Primary School in Little Roke Road looks certain to become part of the Harris Federation later this month despite months of vocal protests from pupils’ parents.

The Federation plans to change the 105-year-old school’s name to Harris Academy Kenley and introduce a new uniform – provoking anger from some quarters of the local community and concerns at another local primary school.

Parents say the new name would erase long-standing ties between the school, established in 1908 at the former site of Great Roke Farm, and the local area’s history.

Becky Carrier, 31, whose daughter Millie goes to Roke, said: “Roke school is over 100 years old and it just seems such a shame that it is being wiped out completely.

“It is sad that they can’t incorporate Roke into the name somehow. It means something to the area.”

There were also fears the name could lead cause confusion with nearby Kenley Primary School in New Barn Lane.

Its headteacher, Georgina Catanach, moved to reassure parents the school would not be affiliated with Harris.

She told them: “I was dismayed to find out their suggested name is ‘Harris Primary Academy Kenley’ and the new uniform is navy blue.

“It has been noted by parents at Roke that this is very, very similar in name and uniform.”

She suggested parents could recommend alternative names to the Harris Federation.

The Federation is consulting on the name change, but has stressed Roke will not be incorporated in any new name.

A Harris Federation spokeswoman said: "Most Harris Academies are named after their local area, so we have proposed to name the school Harris Academy Kenley. 

“We have asked parents for their views and will consider all responses before coming to a final decision. 

"There will be a new uniform, with new items provided free of charge for children currently at the school so that no-one is out of pocket.”

The Department for Education is expected to announce Harris as Roke’s academy sponsor in the next few weeks.

Campaign group Save Roke said it was “resigned” to the school becoming a Harris academy, despite the majority of parents who responded to a Harris-run consultation, published last month, opposing academy conversion.