School Community
We are a large school, but pride ourselves on having a caring and friendly atmosphere normally associated with smaller schools. Each student is placed in a Form Group under the guidance of a Tutor, who gets to know each student very well. Each year, our new students tell us that they find the school welcoming and secure. We have a broadly equal number of boys and girls and a full range of abilities.
Parents
We believe parental co-operation and support are key factors in educational success. Form tutors, heads of year, subject teachers and senior staff are all happy to be contacted about individual students. Often, an early word between parents and the school can prevent any worries from developing into a problem.
Staff
We have a dynamic and inspirational team of teachers, who are academically well-qualified, hard-working and committed to ensuring that every learner achieves their very best.
Homework
Homework tasks are set and recorded in student diaries, so that parents are able to check what has been set and support their child’s work. There is a supervised Homework Club, which runs both breaks and after school for students who wish to make use of school facilities to help them with their work.
Monitoring of Student Progress
We keep a very careful check on each student’s progress as they move up through the school. Parents receive a full written report on their child once a year, as well as more frequent progress reports giving a quick snapshot of current progress. Every year group has a Parent’s Evening at which individual subject staff talk about progress within their lessons.
Discipline
Riverside School students display outstanding behaviours for learning. Their effort, resilience, leadership and progress is rewarded with praise, ClassCharts points, certificates, prizes and commendations in assembly. Those few students who choose to break the rules must face the consequences of their actions, which can include warnings, lesson relocations, detentions, isolation and eventually exclusion from school. We have zero tolerance of any form of bullying.
Facilities
The school is fortunate in having had substantial recent investment in buildings and facilities.
All subjects have suites of rooms near to one another and all rooms are air-conditioned.
Computers
There is a whole-school network, with a networked computer in every teaching room. Teaching rooms are equipped with digital projection equipment to enable staff to maximise the use of technology with their whole class.
Library
The Library is a relaxing, informal space designed by the students in collaboration with the architects and offers a wide range of fiction and other resources for student use.
Science
There has been a particular emphasis on providing high-quality science accommodation. We have thirteen well-equipped specialist laboratories, all with easy access to technician support and equipment.
Music
Riverside School has a vibrant musical ethos, with opportunities for learners to experience playing a wide range of instruments as they develop as musicians. All students can access peripatetic teachers to play an instrument of their choice.
Sport
Our PE facilities are excellent. As well an indoor sports hall and an astro-turf, we have four multi-use games areas, a dance studio and gym.
Catering
Our catering service is provided by Aspens, with years 9, 10 and 11 served during 1st break and years 7 and 8 served during 2nd break. Students are not allowed to leave the school site at lunch-time.