Royal Docks Academy relaunch

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A 2020 vision for the future of education at a Newham school has been outlined.

The Royal Docks Academy – formerly the Royal Docks Community School – officially joined the Burnt Mill Academy Trust (BMAT) on January 1.

On the first day of the new term, a six-point plan was outlined to staff about what is to be achieved by 2020.

The mission is –

· for the number of students achieving GCSE grade 5 in English and maths to be above the national average

· to achieve and sustain a positive Progress 8 score

· to be at or above the national average for all subjects

· for all teaching to be at least Good and much Outstanding

· to diminish gaps between groups of students

· to achieve outstanding behaviour

BMAT operates primary and secondary schools in Harlow, Epping and Stansted, in Essex, and has a reputation for transforming education and results.

The school has been working with the Trust for the last six months, with John Blaney, former headteacher at Burnt Mill Academy in Harlow, taking on the role of executive headteacher for Royal Docks.

Mr Blaney, who started his teaching career in Newham, said: “I have very high expectations for our students. I expect every child to leave us having made excellent progress, regardless of their starting point; I want them to develop as well-rounded individuals; I want them to have the opportunity to go to any university in the world or embark on apprenticeships which lead them on to exciting careers they deserve.

“The Trust has very high expectations of behaviour and an unofficial motto of ‘hard work pays’. The Trust has an excellent track record of outstanding GCSE results. I know that through an excellent education, our students will be able to reach their full potential.”

Year 11 students will now work to an extended school day – between 7.45am and 5pm – and attend revision sessions on Saturdays.

There is a new focus on BELIEF – behaviour, expectations, learning, intervention, equity and fun.

New head of school Andrew Ross, deputy head at Royal Docks for 12 years, said the work ahead is “straight forward and simple”. He said: “What we are looking to do is nothing new.

“This is an exciting time. The partnership with BMAT will benefit and support us as we head towards becoming an outstanding school.”

The team has been boosted further with the arrival of assistant headteacher Matt Carter, in charge of the curriculum and timetabling who will work between Royal Docks and Burnt Mill Academy. He will launch a new curriculum in September.

A new lead practitioner in geography, teachers in science, modern foreign languages and PE, plus a business manager have also joined the school.