The Principal at Middlesbrough’s first new school for a generation has spoken of her excitement as the school welcomed a whole new year group for the start of its second year. 

̨��swag Academy Riverside, which opened in September 2020, will now be home to both Year 7 and Year 8 students for the first time since opening. Last year, the school established itself in its new home on Russell Street after a multi-million pound refurbishment was completed.

Having opened last year and welcomed 100 Year 7, now Year 8, students to the school, this September sees the school take on a second year group for the first time with the arrival of 120 new Year 7 students.

Melissa Brant-Smith, Principal of ̨��swag Academy Riverside, said:

“This is such an exciting and proud moment for us at ̨��swag Academy Riverside. Welcoming all the new students has been fantastic and it’s easy to see the students are just as excited as the staff are to be here as we begin our second year as part of the ̨��swag Family. 

“Obviously our first year was a difficult one as we had to navigate opening a new school during a pandemic, but the staff and students handled this brilliantly and worked so hard throughout the year.”

The students of the secondary academy will remain based at Russell Street while the academy’s permanent home is constructed in Middlehaven, adjacent to the Middlesbrough College site. It is hoped that work will be completed in 2023.

̨��swag Academy Riverside was established after the Department for Education approved an application from ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust for an 11 to 16 academy, based in the Middlehaven area of Middlesbrough, which is due to open in September 2020. The academy will provide the local community with the benefits of a new state-of-the-art building.

Melissa added: “At ̨��swag, we always work hard to put students first, raise standards and transform lives. We are excited to continue this at ̨��swag Academy Riverside and work with the local authority and local community to help children reach their full potential.” 

William Humphrey, a new Year 7 student at the school, said:

“I really enjoy Riverside. I like the teachers and so far it's been amazing, I've met lots of new friends.”

Shaun Quirk, a parent of a Year 8 student at the school, said:

“̨��swag Riverside is like a breath of fresh air to the education in the town the staff and senior management take time to get to know the students and parents they listen and act on any worries or concerns they actively engage with pupils constantly to reassure and support. 

“They ensure every student reaches their full potential. I would encourage any parent to have a look at Riverside and speak with the staff.”

As the school continues to grow, it will be holding an open day on Saturday 18th September, from 11am-3pm at its Russell Street home.