Headteacher’s Welcome – Our Vision and Values!

On behalf of our school community, we would like to welcome you to Riverbank Academy. Riverbank is a fantastic school that is a wonderful place to learn and a great place to work. We are a caring, creative, and motivated school where safeguarding is our top priority. Our shared vision is for all students to make exceptional progress and lead happy and fulfilled lives. This is achieved through a carefully planned curriculum that has a clear focus on developing independence and employment-based skills. Our students are at the very centre of everything we do. Our students drive our curriculum development and planning. All students are given the best opportunities to succeed and make excellent progress through a carefully designed curriculum which is delivered in a bespoke and personalised environment.

We encourage all our parents, carers, and visitors to visit the curriculum section of our website by clicking HERE.

Our Journey…

In 2014, Riverbank Academy was formerly known as Alice Stevens – a special school that required improvement. Alice Stevens joined the Sidney Stringer Multi Academy Trust in 2015 and was renamed Riverbank Academy where the culture, vision, and aspirations of the school were transformed. 

From 2014 to 2026, Riverbank evolved from a school for moderate learning difficulties into a vibrant, broad-spectrum school. Our community now proudly supports pupils with more severe and profound needs, specifically catering to their unique communication, interaction, and sensory profiles. 

To support the local and national demand for Special School places, between 2018 and 2026, Riverbank Academy increased the student population from 150 to 245. Our biggest increase has been from September 2024 to September 2026 with 135 new pupils joining our school.

As our school has grown in size, leaders have worked in partnership with the Sidney Stringer Academy Trust and Local Authority to develop a provision that is creative, innovative, and planned around our curriculum aims. This includes a Fitness Suite, Soft Play Centre, Independent Zone, Library, Hydrotherapy Pool, Sports Hall, Physio Room, Sensory Garden, Forest School, Pop-Up Shop and Student Cafe.

Our Team…

We have a dedicated and passionate staff team with an experienced, middle and senior leadership team. We have close and supportive relationships with all our parents, carers, and outside agencies. 

We hope you find everything you are looking for on our website and please contact the school should you require any further information.

We hope you find everything you are looking for on our website and please contact the school should you require any further information.

For more information about our Multi Academy Trust please CLICK HERE

We are always happy to help!

Mr David Lisowski

Headteacher

Riverbank Academy