Riverside School

Riverside School is an outstanding, mixed, non-denominational secondary school with a sixth form. It is an academy located in Barking, Greater London (Inner London Pay Scale).

Riverside opened as a new provision in September 2013, it currently has 1500 students on roll and will eventually grow to a full capacity of 1800 students aged 11-18 by 2021. The school moved to its new £45m state-of-the-art premises in September 2017 with very large 75-95m² classrooms and impressive indoor/outdoor sports facilities.

Headteacher

Mr Andrew Roberts

Values and vision

Riverside School's motto “Excellence for All” emphasises our very high expectations for everyone. Riverside's curriculum is academically rigorous, broad and balanced for all students in all year groups.  This combined with our exceptional pedagogy realises our belief in social justice, activating the greatest successes for all learners whatever their prior attainment; whatever their background. The curriculum is meticulously planned to ensure progression is logically sequenced; therefore, cumulatively developing learners’ skills and knowledge over time. Riverside’s strict and calm working atmosphere creates well-rounded individuals who excel in the arts, on the sporting field and academically. Our extra-curricular programme is fundamental to what we desire for our learners - we refer to it as the ‘essential wider curriculum’ (EWC). We pride ourselves on knowing all our learners really well, thus engineering a curriculum to actuate a wholly inclusive and highly ambitious education for all. Riverside School is currently in the country's top 50 schools for student progress, P8: +0.99 and was graded Ofsted outstanding in October 2022. Our huge success is underpinned by the highest quality professional development for all staff.

Ofsted report

October 2022:

"The school’s motto, ‘Excellence for All’, reflects the ambition that leaders have for  the whole school community. A very strong culture of high expectations across the  school means that pupils here are encouraged to succeed. Pupils benefit from a rich  curriculum that is taught expertly by very well-trained staff. The ambition for all to  do well includes those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who follow the same carefully considered curriculum as their peers.

Pupils work hard and achieve well. Very clearly established routines ensure that pupils are engaged in their learning and that their work is of a consistently high  quality. Standards of behaviour are very high. Lessons are not disrupted by poor  behaviour, and cases of bullying are rare. When bullying does happen, pupils are  confident that it will be dealt with. Pupils feel safe in the school.

Pupils enjoy school and appreciate the wide range of additional opportunities that  they have. This includes a range of high-profile visiting guest speakers and a variety  of after-school clubs and sporting activities. Pupils are active in supporting  community projects."