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Work begins on opening of new secondary school in Reading

Cranes at work building the River Academy secondary school in Richfield Avenue, Reading. <i>(Image: Bowmer + Kirkland)</i>
Cranes at work building the River Academy secondary school in Richfield Avenue, Reading. (Image: Bowmer + Kirkland)

Work has begun on building a new secondary school in Reading ahead of an expected opening date next year.

The River Academy is currently being built in Richfield Avenue near the Rivermead Leisure Centre and the Reading Festival site on the southbank of the Thames.

Once complete, a total of 1,500 pupils will be educated at the school, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision and 300 places for sixth form students.

The school is set to be run by the Maiden Erlegh Trust, which currently runs three secondary schools a primary school and two special education institutions in the area.

Reading Chronicle: An overhead view of work taking place to build the River Academy secondary school in Richfield Avenue, Reading.
Reading Chronicle: An overhead view of work taking place to build the River Academy secondary school in Richfield Avenue, Reading.

An overhead view of work taking place to build the River Academy secondary school in Richfield Avenue, Reading. (Image: Bowmer + Kirkland)

In preparation for opening, the Trust must engage in a statoury ‘section 10’ consultation, as the Trust is hoping to make it a ‘Free School’ operating independently of Reading Borough Council as an academy.

For the school to open, a contract is required between the Trust and the Department for Education.

This contract is called a Funding Agreement and is the standard document used by all academies which details the key aspects of the trust’s responsibilities and how the education provision will function.

If this consultation is not carried out according to legal requirements, the Funding Agreement will not be signed.

Therefore the consulation is being undertaken to ensure an agreement is reached.

The consultation asks: “Do you support Maiden Erlegh Trust’s proposal to open a new secondary school in the borough of Reading?” and “Do you agree that the River Academy should open in September 2024, which would involve entering into a funding agreement with the Secretary of State for Education?”

Additional comments can be made on the survey as well.

Reading Chronicle: What the new River Academy secondary school could look like once built. Credit: River Academy
Reading Chronicle: What the new River Academy secondary school could look like once built. Credit: River Academy

What the new River Academy secondary school could look like once built. Credit: River Academy

The Trust is also holding two events where people can learn more about the project.

The first is a drop-in session at Maiden Erlegh School in Crescent Road, Reading, which will run from 4.30pm to 6pm on Wednesday, June 21.

The second event will be online and will take place at 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Monday, June 26.

In both cases, those seeking to attend should fill out a ‘register your interest’ form found here.

Both events provide an opportunity to meet members of the Trust, ask questions and share views.

You can take part in the consulation here.

Additionally, you can email questions or comments to riveracademyconsultation@maidenerleghtrust.org .

The deadline to respond to the consultation is by 12pm on Wednesday, July 12.

The River Academy was given outline planning approval in June 2022.

At the time, there were hopes that the school could open in September this year.

However, the project completion date appears to have changed as the Maiden Erlegh Trust is seeking the funding to enable opening for September 2024.

Detailed applications determining the materials used for the buildings (reference 221132) and assessments related to tree protection and biodiversity (reference 221133) were approved in September and October last year.

The Trusts runs its eponymous schools in Earley, East Reading and Chiltern Edge, and also Hamilton School and Cranbury College alternative provision in Reading.

Additionally, it will run the Oak Tree School in Winnersh, which has been made for SEND pupils in Wokingham Borough and Reading Borough.

Oak Tree School is set to open this September.