<![CDATA[River Academy News Feed - Latest News]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fpid%3D3%26amp%3Bnid%3D1 Juniper Education Content Management System (CMS) Version: 4.5 (junipereducation.org) Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:25:52 GMT Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:25:52 GMT <![CDATA[ Students to pass through River Academy on 20-mile sponsored walk for Kenya ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=93 Students from Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School will be passing through River Academy  as part of their 20-mile sponsored walk to support Grace Academy School in Nakuru, Kenya, where they will be volunteering later this year. 

]]> Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:29:06 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=93 <![CDATA[ Listening & Acting Award: River Academy recognised among top 10 schools nationally for valuing pupil voice ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=92 River Academy has been recognised as one of the top 10 schools nationally in Edurio’s Listening & Acting Award – Pupil Feedback, placed our school among a small group leading the way in listening to, and acting on, pupil voice. 

]]> Mon, 2 Feb 2026 11:36:00 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=92 <![CDATA[ SEND Parent and Carer Forum – Register to take part ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=91 Parents and carers are invited to register interest in a new SEND Parent and Carer Forum, bringing together parents and carers from across all schools in Maiden Erlegh Trust.

]]> Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:22:45 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=91 <![CDATA[ Double, Double Gold Sparx! ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=90 Last week of term, and first week back, River Academy is top of the Sparx learning leaderboards. 

]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:44:30 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=90 <![CDATA[ Join the discussion on SEND Reform ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=89 The government wants to hear your views.

]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:23:02 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=89 <![CDATA[ River school council ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=88 River School Council voice their reflections

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:00:49 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=88 <![CDATA[ River Academy lectures are back! ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=87 A huge thank you to Professor Musson from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science for delivering a thoroughly engaging lecture about the changing use of towns and city centres

]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:23:35 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=87 <![CDATA[ Sparx Success ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=86

]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:24:47 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=86 <![CDATA[ Sparx Success ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=85

]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:24:23 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=85 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to Wai Kit Mo, Values in Action Winner ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=83 We’re delighted to announce that Wai Kit Mo, HLTA at River Academy, has been recognised by Maiden Erlegh Trust as our Values in Action winner for Work Together.

]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:16:17 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=83 <![CDATA[ Information evening for our September 2025 cohort ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=81 It was lovely to meet so many of our new parents at the information evening we held last night for our new cohort who will be joining us in September.  The presentation given by Mr Hartley has now been published and can be found on our website using the link HERE.  

]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:25:52 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=81 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to Jess Angell, Values in Action Winner ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=80 We’re delighted to announce that Jess Angell, Curriculum Leader for Humanities at River Academy, has been recognised by Maiden Erlegh Trust as our Values in Action winner for Be Inclusive.

]]> Thu, 22 May 2025 15:57:02 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=80 <![CDATA[ Coming soon: Intra-Trust Sports Inclusion Event ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=79 We are delighted to announce our upcoming Sports Inclusion Event: Building Confidence through Sport, a celebration of teamwork, confidence and wellbeing through sport, taking place on Wednesday 9 July 2025 at Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge.

]]> Wed, 21 May 2025 14:06:16 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=79 <![CDATA[ Upcoming year 5 Open Mornings ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=78 For parents and primary school pupils (current Year 5) moving to secondary school in September 2026.

]]> Wed, 7 May 2025 14:43:22 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=78 <![CDATA[ 🌍 Climate Action at Maiden Erlegh Trust 🌱​​​​​​​ ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=77 This week marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey as we celebrate one year of working in partnership with our climate action advisors, Let’s Go Zero. Their expertise and guidance have been instrumental in helping us take our first confident steps towards decarbonisation across all nine schools and our Shared Services facilities.

]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 11:50:16 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=77 <![CDATA[ River Academy Selected as National Sparx Case Study Following Outstanding Student Engagement ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=76 We are delighted to announce that River Academy has been selected to feature as a national Sparx case study, in recognition of our students’ exceptional and sustained engagement with both Sparx Maths and Sparx Reader. 

]]> Thu, 3 Apr 2025 15:45:48 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=76 <![CDATA[ The Ski Trip of a Lifetime – MET Ski Trip 2026! ✨🎿 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=74 We are excited to announce the Maiden Erlegh Trust Ski Trip 2026. It is open to all students in Years 7, 8, and 9 at Maiden Erlegh School, Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge, and River Academy! 

]]> Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:19:39 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=74 <![CDATA[ Maiden Erlegh Trust Heads of PE Launch Intra-Trust Sports Programme ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=73 We are delighted to launch the Inter-School Sports Programme — a series of sports activities and events designed by our Heads of PE for all our schools, and every one of our students. 

]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:33:35 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=73 <![CDATA[ Thank you to Professor Aston who delivered yesterday's brilliant community lecture about pets in Ancient Greek life! ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=75 Tue, 1 Apr 2025 12:38:17 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=75 <![CDATA[ Extraordinary INSET Day – Friday 4 April 2025 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=72 Friday 4 April 2025 is an extraordinary INSET day across all Maiden Erlegh Trust (MET) schools. On this day, all our schools will be closed to students to allow staff to participate in comprehensive Class Charts training.

]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:30:40 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=72 <![CDATA[ River Academy Community Lecture Series ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=70 River Academy Launches New Community Lecture Series – Open to All!

]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:18:26 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=70 <![CDATA[ Careers Fair 2025 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=69 We are excited to invite you to the Maiden Erlegh Trust Annual Careers Fair, an event which can open doors to exciting opportunities for our secondary students. 

]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:41:20 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=69 <![CDATA[ Celebrating our Governors on National Governors' Awareness Day ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=68 Thursday 13th February is National School Governors' Awareness Day, a time to recognise the invaluable contribution of school governors.

]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:58:52 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=68 <![CDATA[ Supporting your child’s mental wellbeing at River Academy with BRIYM (Building Resilience in Young Minds) ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=67 We are thrilled to announce that Debbie Smith from BRIYM is working with the students at River Academy to help them build resilience and thrive.

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:21:01 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=67 <![CDATA[ Maiden Erlegh Trust - Spotlight on River Academy - a school on the rise ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=66 Welcome to the latest in Maiden Erlegh Trust's School Spotlight series! This time, they were shining a light on River Academy - this is what they said about us.

"River Aademy is a dynamic and growing secondary school in Reading that is making waves in education."

]]> Tue, 4 Feb 2025 10:58:32 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=66 <![CDATA[ Open Morning - Wednesday 5 February, 9:30am for Year 6 parents and their children ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=65 We are holding an Open Morning for Year 6 Parents (and their children), on Wednesday 5 February at 9:30am.  This is an exciting opportunity for you to visit the school, talk to students and senior leaders.

]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:02:43 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=65 <![CDATA[ Happy 2025 and a very warm welcome back to school for the Spring term ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=64 Happy New Year and a very warm welcome back to our staff and students on 6 January 2025.  We are looking forward to the Spring term and the start of some lighter evenings.

]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 12:48:01 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=64 <![CDATA[ Maiden Erlegh Trust - Recruitment Event, Wednesday 29 January 2025, 5:00pm to 6:30pm ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=63 This event will take place at Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (81 Crescent Road, Reading, RG1 5SL).  If you would like to find out more about the teaching and support staff roles in our Secondary and Special/AP settings, please come along to this event and speak to a member of our team who will be able to give you details about the opportunities available and talk about the benefits of working for a Maiden Erlegh Trust school.

]]> Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:33:47 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=63 <![CDATA[ Additional Year 6 Open Mornings - Autumn 2024 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=62 Over the next few weeks, we will be hosting a series of open mornings starting at 9:30 am and concluding at 10:45am. These sessions will be an exciting opportunity for you to visit the school, talk to students and senior leaders. The headteacher will give a short presentation before a member of staff will take visitors on a tour of the school to see the school “in action”.

Please note that due to all current dates being fully booked, we have added the following as additional dates.

  • Friday 11 October 2024
  • Wednesday 16 October 2024
]]> Thu, 3 Oct 2024 12:02:14 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=62 <![CDATA[ Open Evening - Wednesday 02 October 2024 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=61 We are holding an event on Wednesday 02 October 2024 from 5:30pm until 7:30pm for parents and primary school pupils moving to secondary school in September 2025.

]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2024 09:21:34 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=61 <![CDATA[ River Academy welcomes new staff at its inaugural CPD day today ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=60 Wed, 4 Sep 2024 09:23:13 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=60 <![CDATA[ National Thank a Teacher Day - Wednesday 19 June 2024 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=58 On Wednesday 19 June it is National Thank A Teacher Day. This year, we’re celebrating not only our outstanding teachers but also the wonderful support staff.

]]> Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:24:04 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=58 <![CDATA[ Hot off the press: The latest edition of News Stream has now been published ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=57 Please click HERE to see the latest edition of News Stream.

]]> Thu, 30 May 2024 10:45:43 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=57 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to Joe Clare who has been appointed Curriculum Leader of PE and Enrichment ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=56 We are delighted to introduce our newly appointed Curriculum Leader of PE and Enrichment, Joe Clare who is currently working at a local secondary school in Tilehurst as a Deputy Head of Faculty.

]]> Thu, 9 May 2024 08:57:25 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=56 <![CDATA[ We are delighted to introduce our new Curriculum Leader of Science, Dr Matthew Dukinfield ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=55 We are delighted to introduce our new Curriculum Leader of Science, Dr Matthew Dukinfield. Matthew has a rich vein of experience in high performing schools in London and Hertfordshire, together with a PhD in cardiovascular pharmacology.

]]> Wed, 8 May 2024 15:45:34 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=55 <![CDATA[ Project Update: The sports hall façade has lifted the whole building ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=54 River Academy is looking more and more like the CGI images every day and the sports hall façade really lifts the whole building. The interiors are coming on too and the science labs now have some work stations.

]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:18:06 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=54 <![CDATA[ Hot off the press: The latest edition of News Stream has now been published ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=53 Please click HERE to see the latest edition of News Stream.

]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:09:33 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=53 <![CDATA[ A very warm welcome to Sara Stevens who has just been appointed Office Manager and Personal Assistant to Mr Hartley ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=52 Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:03:07 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=52 <![CDATA[ Presentation from online 'Information Event' for prospective families ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=51 On Tuesday 5 March we held an online information event for parents who had named River Academy as one of their secondary school preferences.

]]> Fri, 8 Mar 2024 15:59:44 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=51 <![CDATA[ A very warm welcome to Christina Moore who has been appointed Head of Year 7 ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=50 We are delighted to announce that Christina Moore as been appointed as our new Head of Year 7.

]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:05:45 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=50 <![CDATA[ Hot off the press: The latest edition of News Stream has now been published ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=49 Thu, 1 Feb 2024 15:11:25 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=49 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to Becky Clarke who has been appointed Assistant Headteacher ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=48 We are thrilled to announce that Becky Clarke has been appointed as Assistant Headteacher. Becky will lead our SEND department, oversee our Additional Resource Base and act as Designated Safeguarding Lead.

]]> Fri, 26 Jan 2024 09:25:22 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=48 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to Laura Billingham who has been appointed Deputy Headteacher ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=47 We would like to welcome Laura Billingham as our new Deputy Headteacher.

]]> Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:31:28 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=47 <![CDATA[ Project Update: Excellent progress continues on site! ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=46 Whilst great progress continues on the school site, we are also looking forward to making some key appointments to the senior leadership team in the next couple of weeks.

]]> Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:58:55 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=46 <![CDATA[ Recruitment Event - 24 January 2024, 5:00pm to 7:00pm ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=45 Maiden Erlegh Trust are holding a recruitment event for a variety of positions (teaching and support) that we are recruiting for at River Academy and also for opportunities available at other Trust schools.  The event will be an opportunity to speak with senior staff about the roles that are available and also to talk to staff who have similar roles at other Maiden Erlegh Trust schools.  

If you would like to come and speak with staff about what Maiden Erlegh Trust can offer, please come along to this event which will take place at: Maiden Erlegh School in Reading, 81 Crescent Road, Reading, RG1 5SL.  Booking is not required for this event.

In the meantime, please visit our vacancies page HERE.

]]> Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:03:42 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=45 <![CDATA[ We have now started the recruitment process for some key roles at River Academy ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=44 We are looking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher, an Assistant Headteacher/SENCO and a Head of Year.  This is a hugely exciting time in the school's development and an opportunity for outstanding candidates to contribute to the school's establishment as the highly successful school that we fully expect it to be.

Full details of these roles can be found on our recruitment page HERE

]]> Fri, 8 Dec 2023 13:37:23 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=44 <![CDATA[ Project Update: We are now moving onto the internal fixtures and fittings! ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=43 As you can see from our latest drone shots, building work has really progressed, and we are now working with contractors on the internal fixtures and fittings.

]]> Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:23:32 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=43 <![CDATA[ Statutory Section 10 Consultation - Now Open! ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=42 From 24 May to 12 July, Maiden Erlegh Trust conducted a rigorous and fully compliant Section 10 Consultation exercise based on a Published Admissions Number (PAN) of 240. After careful consideration of views raised during the consultation, MET requested to reduce the PAN to 180 and add a 35 place Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP). 

]]> Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:22:35 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=42 <![CDATA[ Latest edition of News Stream has now been published ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=41 For more information about the River Academy open event that took place in September and the progress that is being made by the construction team, please have a look News Stream HERE.

]]> Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:11:43 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=41 <![CDATA[ Thank you to all the families that attended our Open Event on 20 September ]]> https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=40 It was lovely to meet so many people at our recent Open Event for families looking for a Year 7 place in September 2024. 

]]> Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:14:17 GMT https://www.river-academy.co.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=40