River Tees Secondary Academy

WELCOME FROM THE HEADTEACHER

I would like to offer you a warm welcome to River Tees Secondary Academy where we believe ‘we change lives.’ 

Our academy is an alternative provision academy (AP) located in Middlesbrough. The academy provides high quality education for learners who have been excluded from school or are at risk of exclusion. 

We pride ourselves on our curriculum which is carefully planned to build every child’s character, community and currency.

Character:  Who you are and who you want to be

Community: Links to others and the wider world

Currency:  Learning for your future

This provides every learner with a sense of self and the ability to be successful in their futures.

Our focus on personal development ensures that every learner feels happy and safe in an environment where they are valued and inspired to learn. At our school, we work hard to build strong relationships leading to a family ethos. 

When the time comes for ta learner to leave us, they will be better equipped for a positive role in society and be more able to make informed choices. We know this because, over time, we have seen many of our learners manage their barriers to education, gain GCSEs and become responsible citizens in society.

Sarah Birch 

Secondary Headteacher

Our Ethos and Values. 

We want every child to feel supported, valued, and ready for their future. We work closely with our staff, pupils, and families to help everyone grow and succeed.

We teach and encourage these important values:

Being Resilient and Brave. We help children face challenges, try their best, and keep going even when things feel hard.

Being Trustworthy and Kind. We create a safe and caring school where everyone is kind, honest, and looks after one another.

Making a Positive Difference. We encourage children to make good choices and have a positive impact on their school and community.

Being Aspirational and Hopeful. We inspire children to believe in themselves, dream big, and work towards their goals.

Being Tolerant and Respectful. We celebrate differences and teach children to respect and value everyone.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is broad and balanced, giving children the skills and knowledge they need to succeed at school and beyond. We focus on the three C’s:

Currency

Helping children learn useful skills and knowledge for their future.

Character

Supporting children to understand themselves, build confidence, and become the best version of who they can be.

Community

Teaching children how to work well with others and understand the world around them.

Together, these help every child grow into confident, responsible young adults, ready for further education, work, and life.

We support our pupils to feel proud of who they are and to take their place as valued members of society.