RPA is lauded by Ofsted and gets a 'GOOD '

Richmond Park Academy is the first of the Borough's secondary schools to be examined under the new, rigorous, Ofsted framework.  Just before half term the inspectors spent two exacting days putting staff, students and governors through their educational paces.  They covered every aspect of the academy's teaching and learning.  They looked at achievement, at teaching, at behaviour and safety, at leadership and management and at governance. And their verdict? RICHMOND PARK ACADEMY IS A 'GOOD' SCHOOL. http://www.richmondparkacademy.org/sites/rpa.aetweb.org/files/attachments/ofsted%202012%20report_1.pdf
What does 'good' mean? A good school is one that effectively delivers outcomes that provide well for all its students' needs - and one that ensures its students are well prepared for the next stage of education, training or employment.  The Ofsted inspectors tell us we meet those criteria.
In an analytical and wide-ranging report they said:

• 'Ambitious and rigorously checked targets, both for teachers and students, are pushing up standards'
• 'Results in maths are particularly strong'
• 'Students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is well promoted'
• 'Students in Years 10 and 11 speak of inspirational and committed teachers as the academy's key strengths'
• 'Teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and plan lessons carefully'
• 'Behaviour in and out of lessons is good'
• 'Choice of subjects is broad and balanced, with the flexibility to support individual needs and interests'

They also found that 'leadership and management shared a commitment to drive up standards'.  'Gaps in the standards reached and progress made by different groups are small and are steadily narrowing as a result of well targeted support'.  Students 'are encouraged to take on leadership roles within and beyond the academy and to practice team-building and collaboration'.  Of behaviour management, they report that 'firm and consistent action is taken when students step over clearly defined boundaries'.
The inspectors also examined the effectiveness of the academy's governance.  They reported that the board was strong and well informed and 'that governors analyse in detail the progress and standards of students'.
We now confidently share the official message - that Richmond Park Academy is a good school - with neighbours, with parents, with local primaries and with students, both current and future.
We are a tried, tested and inspirational learning community on a journey towards excellence.
Mona Adams
Community Governor

Richmond Park Academy: research amongst Lowther school parents

Lowther Primary School community is invited to fill in a short survey http://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=134857171559
 

Richmond Park Academy is keen to listen to the opinions of  parents in our community.   Please take a few minutes to answer these questions about the issues which are important to you when  evaluating a secondary school for your child.  This will help us to address your needs and ensure that these are met. The findings of this research  will be reported back to the Academy in an aggregated format - individual responses will not be available and any comments you make will be treated confidentially.

 

We are keen to extend this survey to all other local primary schools and please contact Gaurav Mathur on gmsin@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested in conducting this for your school.

 

Richmond Park Academy to open sixth form in 2014

Sixth Form bid successful!

Richmond Park Academy's bid for opening a sixth form has been successful! The Secretary of State wrote to us on October 4 2012 to confirm that we will be an 11-18 school from September 2014

Comparative 2012 provisional GCSE results

Richmond Borough 2012 provisional GCSE results

5 GCSEs A*-C inc English & Maths% 2012(2011/2010/2009/2008)

Waldegrave 80% ( 87 88 80 76 )
Christ's 73% (70 64 63 54)
Grey Court 68% (67 54 46 51)
Orleans Park 64% (70 71 68 60)
Teddington 63% (72 69 63 68)
Richmond Park Academy 61% ( 43 )
Twickenham Academy * ( 49 )
Hampton Academy * ( 47 )

* not yet disclosed

Any 5 GCSEs A*-C 2012 (2011)

Waldegrave 95% (96%)
Christ's 93% (91%)
Grey Court 92% (85%)
Richmond Park Academy 91% (79%)
Teddington 87% (90%)
Twickenham Academy 82% (85%)
Hampton Academy 76% (69%)
Orleans Park 74% (74%)

Source: 
2012 provisional results: schools' individual websites, 
previous years' final results: DfE (NB for the three academies, predecessor school data not available)

Richmond borough average is 84% 5 A*-C grades (62% 5 A*-C inc. Eng and Maths)
that compares with:
Hounslow borough average 88% 5 A*-C (63% 5 A*-C inc. Eng and Maths)
Wandsworth borough average 88% 5 A*-C (61% 5 A*-C inc. Eng and Maths)
Kingston borough average 90% 5 A*-C (72% 5 A*-C inc. Eng and Maths)
Hammersmith & Fulham isn't being specific
Some surrounding schools, e.g. 5 GCSEs inc. Eng&Maths
Elliott (now Ark Putney) 62%
Heathland 62%
Feltham 62%
Chiswick 61%
Brentford 58%

AN INVITATION ….. Richmond Park Academy students and staff warmly invite you to our special open events during September and October, 2012

AN INVITATION …..

Richmond Park Academy students and staff warmly invite you to our special open events during September and October, 2012

OPEN EVENING

Wednesday 3rd October 2012

6 – 8.30pm

Year 7 Entrance, Hertford Avenue, East Sheen

Tours of the school will include a chance to see the plans for the new campus building and refurbishment and sample lessons to give a flavour of what your child will experience in their transition year

The Headteacher will speak in Park Hall at 6.15pm and 7.30pm

OPEN MORNINGS

11 September – 25th October

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Arrive 9.15am; tours begin at 9.35am

If you would like to reserve a place on these tours, please contact the Academy Office on 020 8876 8891 or email us at contactus@richmondparkacademy.org

Why do we think you should visit us?

Local parents tell us that they want the very best secondary education for their children and that, ideally, they want that excellence to be available close to home. We agree. This year, RPA students achieving 5 A* to C with English and maths rose by 16% and, overall, 91% got those top grade passes.

In addition to inspirational teaching, we offer:

* ability setting from the outset

* a dedicated year 7 learning area (The Acorn) with the year leader sited there

* a broad based and balanced curriculum for Key Stage 3 students, with most of our Key Stager 4 students following an academic pathway, enabling them to get between 9 and 12 GCSEs

* a governing board with strong, local representation

* a wide range of extra-curricular subjects

* an arts department which has recently won Artsmark recognition

- a 6th Form to open in September 2014

The Year of 2012 - Comments

 

Advice for next year's Year 11:

• Revise and don't give up. That's the way to improve yourself (SK)
• Work hard in Year 10 (RH, JS and many, many others)
• Start revising a lot earlier; Revise from Day One! (KM, MO, ZS, CS and many, many others)
• Work very hard through the whole year and don't give up, e.g. with my maths I didn't have hope and failed at first, but on my last try I passed! Attend all revision lessons and you will do well (UD)
• Work, work, work (YF)
• Don't take any lesson for granted and work hard (WDO)
• To revise every second and not to waste time (EAK)

 
How has RPA supported you in achieving your targets and goals?

• Great – helped me out a lot
• Given me good teachers and helped me a lot (RH)
• Good teachers – approachable if you are stuck (JH)
• Helped me get into college (LF)
• Great, the teachers really supported me throughout these five years (CJF)
• The teachers have been great; revision sessions (LV)
• Quality teaching and revision (EA)
• All my teachers supported me and believed in me so gave me the confidence I needed (KM)
• They constantly help by having teachers on hand (ZS)
• Lots of revision lessons!!! (UD)
• Pushed me (CR)
• They have been very supportive and encouraging (WDO)
• The extra classes and support (BF)
• The teachers always supported you and gave help when needed (CS)
• They supported me well and helped me pass (MO)
• All the teachers are supportive and always there to help (RA)
• By supporting me in English Language to improve my English by helping me – thank you so much (EAK)
• Very well, especially with extra revision (JB)

 
What would you say to a family considering RPA for their child?:

• It is a fantastic school that will help your child achieve their goal (SA, GG)
• It is a school where an intelligent child will be appreciated and made to shine (SK)
• The teachers are great and the support is amazing – thank you to all the staff
• It's a great school! (OA)
• The teachers will believe in you to do well and will help you to the best of their ability (CJF)
• Bring them! (LV)
• It's a much improved school – thanks to all my teachers (BL)
• It is such a friendly environment and the teachers never stop supporting you (KM)
• You can achieve more than you can expect from this school which once had a bad reputation (ZS)
• It is a good place to be and everyone is very friendly and helpful (WDO)
• It is a very good school with an amazing teaching staff that will help you achieve what you want (CS)
• It's really good (RA)
• I would recommend RPA because of great teachers (JB)

Richmond Park Academy students produce phenomenal GCSE results

RICHMOND PARK ACADEMY

 

P R E S S     R E L E A S E

 

Richmond Park Academy students produce phenomenal GCSE results

 

Despite the current widespread debate about  how GCSE results were to be managed and evaluated this year – and national unease that, as a consequence,  results overall would be down -  RICHMOND PARK ACADEMY students have produced achievements which significantly outstrip our totals for last year.

 

Over all subjects, 91% of our students have gained 5 A* - C, representing an increase of 11% over last year's figures

 

For English and Maths, 61% gained 5 A* - C, an increase of l7%.

 

Our Maths results also show a massive increase.  73% got  A* - C, up 21% on last year,  with an impressive 16% gaining A or A*.

 

In English, the subject which was, for the nation's schools, the biggest concern, 66% of RPA students achieved A* - C, representing an increase of 6%

 

And the story doesn't end there. 

 

In 7 key subjects (including physics, chemistry and biology) 93% got A* - C.   In key national curriculum subjects, our A*/A results were significant.    For example, in Biology, 32% got those top grades, in Chemistry 27%, in Physics, 27% and in ICT Additional, 29%.

 

Headteacher Lesley Kirby says:  'Both students and staff have worked together as a team, combining focus, determination and aspiration to produce these great results.   I am delighted that we have, today, come of age, showing to all our friends, neighbours and the local community just what we are capable of'.

 

Simon Danciger, Chair of Governors, reiterates those sentiments.   He says 'This huge improvement in GCSE performance is just what our local community has been demanding and I am delighted for the many families who have put their faith in our outstanding teachers and are now reaping the reward'.

 

David Fuller, AET's National Director of Education, Secondary and Post-16, says:  These results are excellent and are a real credit to all at Richmond Park Academy. I congratulate all the students and staff who, together, have worked so hard to secure these successes and achievements. Richmond Park Academy has made significant improvement over the last two years - well done to Lesley Kirby, the Principal, and her leadership team. I am confident that Richmond Park Academy will continue on its journey towards becoming the outstanding school the community deserves and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Governors and the Leadership Team. 

(note:   AET is the sponsor of Richmond Park Academy)

 

We are already fielding calls from parents enquiring about places at Richmond Park Academy and, as a result, we are arranging for our school office to be open next week.   If you would like to talk to us, please e-mail l.kirby@ richmondparkacademy.org or ring reception on 020 8876 8891