River Academy 

A new secondary school for north Reading

Maiden Erlegh Trust is delighted to announce that the Department for Education (DfE) has approved our application to open a new secondary school in north Reading.

River Academy will be a high quality, inclusive school for students of all abilities and aspirations, and from all backgrounds. The school will be an 8 form entry secondary school with a 300-place Sixth Form. Through the school’s rich and broad curriculum, we will provide opportunities to study a range of GCSE and vocational courses. The school will not only equip students with skills and qualifications that will enable them to access high quality post-16 study or apprenticeships, but will also prepare them for a range of career opportunities both locally and further afield. Finally, it will also increase parental choice in north Reading and address the current shortfall in secondary places within the borough.

Mary Davies, CEO of Maiden Erlegh Trust, said “we are delighted and very proud to have been awarded this project. Maiden Erlegh River Academy will aim high in all aspects of its work. Community and inclusion are key to the Maiden Erlegh ethos and this new school will prepare students, from all backgrounds and of all abilities, to fulfil their aspirations. The new school’s curriculum will deliver high quality academic and vocational courses, as well as a range of enrichment opportunities. This will mean that our students will leave us ready to take their place in the community as well-rounded and confident young adults. We also want Maiden Erlegh River Academy to be a leading educational establishment in the local area supporting the training and development of teachers and support staff”.

Chair of Maiden Erlegh Trust, Nick Jones added “partnership plays an important part in our work and so, in delivering our unapologetically ambitious aims for this school, we will work closely with parents, the community, local businesses and Reading Borough Council.”

Maiden Erlegh Trust would like to thank all staff and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly on putting together what was a very strong application.  We look forward to welcoming the parents and students of Maiden Erlegh River Academy into the Maiden Erlegh family of schools, and to working closely with the community, the local authority and other schools in the area to ensure that we can shape our vision for Maiden Erlegh River Academy to meet the needs and ambitions of the community it will serve. 

 

Media enquiries:

Alison Hobby – Head of Marketing and Administration
0118 926 2467
river@maidenerleghtrust.org

You can visit the River Academy website here.