New Rickstones Academy is a co-educational 11-19 comprehensive independent Academy with DCSF designated Specialist Academy status.

There are approximately 790 students and 127 staff, including 56 teaching staff.

Learning and Teaching

The N.R.A.’s approach is based on the fundamental principles of delivering excellence in learning and teaching and driving up achievement and attainment. We will encourage creative, responsive and effective approaches to learning and teaching across all Key Stages to ensure a continuous and consistent Academy-wide focus on students’ achievement and development in all areas, not just academic. We aim to develop our students morally, spiritually, physically and socially, as part of the all-round high quality educational experience we are delivering all children and young people who attend the Academy.

We will drive innovation in education ensuring that the skills, learning and aspirations of our students are developed and enhanced at all key stages, through creative, collaborative responses to personalised learning and improving teaching within the Academy.

Much of our success will depend on appropriate curricula, informed by current knowledge and best practice, and our specialisms of arts and mathematics will be key elements in our push for improvement. We want to be in the best possible position to develop the potential of all pupils and equip them for the demands of 21st century.

Academy Specialisms

N.R.A. has, at the heart of its life and work, two specialisms, both of which will build on the demonstrable successes of our predecessor school.

Arts
As an Arts Academy we are able to provide an extensive curriculum across English, Music, Drama, Dance and Media, offering a wide and varied range of performance activities to encourage and enable all students to participate. Our predecessor school was a recognized specialist in the provision of Arts, and we aim to continue this success, offering all students the opportunity to try out new activities, develop their talents and enjoy the fulfilment of their creative ambitions.

Mathematics
As a Mathematics Academy we aim to create a challenging environment which will raise standards of achievement and the quality of learning and teaching in mathematics for all students, leading to whole school improvements in performance. We will provide a centre of excellence, encourage young people to pursue mathematics beyond the age of 16, and provide them with appropriate learning pathways so that they develop the skills needed to be active and successful citizens and to progress into employment, further training and higher education according to their individual abilities, aptitudes and ambitions.