A growing academy is inviting families to visit and see for themselves why it has become a school of choice in recent years.
New Rickstones Academy, in Witham, is expanding to cope with the demand on secondary school places in the area.
From September 2022, the academy will increase its intake from 180 students per year to 240.
Building work is under way to create a two-storey extension to house two science laboratories, two food technology rooms, two computer rooms and general teaching rooms.
Prospective students are being encouraged to visit on the academy’s open evening later this month to find out what is on offer.
Head of school Simon Gibbs said: “Visitors will be able to see the plans for our new building, walk around all of the classrooms and see the exciting teaching and learning taking place. There will be taste tests in the food technology area, experiments taking place in science and an opportunity in the PE department to take part in various sports.
“This will be one of our first events since returning to normal after the pandemic restrictions were lifted. It will be nice to get the community back into the academy to see the great job we are doing.
“We are open for families to come and take a tour on a ‘normal’ day; we are proud of our school at any time, not just on open evening. We are confident the school is fantastic and that it is a great place for all students to come and learn and be proud.
“We want people to come in and see the work we are doing with children from their community. Have faith in us and see how we can take children to the next level.”
Students will be on hand to sign visitors in, host guided tours, assist in various departments including catering and answer parent and children’s questions.
Mr Gibbs said: “A big selling point of the academy is our students and how they have developed here. It’s clear to see how proud they are to come to New Rickstones.”
The open evening is being held on September 30, between 6pm and 8pm, with talks from executive headteacher Damian Lee and the head of school at 6.30pm and 7.30pm.
