Welcome
Thank you for your interest in Waterside Academy. Since becoming Headteacher in July 2024, I have made it my mission to establish our school as the first choice for parents in Hackney.
At Waterside Academy, our highly skilled staff and teachers have created a nurturing environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential. With a focus on excellent teaching and a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom, we are committed to providing a well-rounded education. Having previously led Forest Gate Community School to an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating, I know what it takes to deliver a world-class education, and I am proud to bring that same level of excellence to Waterside Academy. Our small size allows us to offer each student a personalised curriculum in a caring environment, where every child is known by name. We support our students through every stage of their secondary education, starting with a smooth transition to ensure they begin their journey on the right foot.
As both a Headteacher and a parent, I understand the importance of family involvement in a child’s education. I’m fortunate to lead a small school where I can personally get to know each child and their family. I warmly encourage families to visit regularly and observe their child’s growth. I would also love to welcome you for a visit and personally show you around our school.
“ My whole world has been transformed because of this school and what they are doing for us as students. I cannot thank them enough.”
2021 Alumni
Shuabur Rahman, Headteacher
Academic success
We have very high expectations at Waterside Academy. Our children achieve excellent GCSE grades.
We have small class sizes, a high staff to student ratio and early intervention for all students who may need extra support. This, along with our bespoke online tool ‘Dynamic Progress Reporting’ means that parents can see for themselves the progress their child is making.
Our award winning curriculum, which was developed with Forest Gate Community School and I have brought here, has been recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding. Students can study a broad range of subjects. I am very pleased to inform you that your child will have the opportunity to use our brand new state-of-the art design technology rooms offering Resistant Materials and Food Technology.
Developing the whole student
Confidence and courtesy are the key to everything we do at Waterside Academy. We explicitly teach good manners and skills to develop the whole child.
At Waterside Academy we want students to be confident well-rounded individuals who are able to express themselves clearly in every situation when they leave us. We work with students explicitly on their articulation and projection in all interactions. Students are encouraged to try a range of activities and experiences including Speak Out challenges, the Brilliant Club, kayaking and volunteering. School starts each morning with a warm welcome from all of our staff who greet students at the gate
Our offer to every child includes:
1. A place at the smallest, most polite secondary school in Hackney where every child and teacher know each other by name and where they are known as individuals and they can develop their creativity.
2. A warm friendly school with an outstanding curriculum offer, engaging lessons and highly qualified dedicated teachers.
3. A calm orderly school environment with our core values of Care, Challenge, Confidence and Courtesy present in absolutely everything we do.
4. A dedicated Wellbeing and Achievement Coach who advises and guides each student personally every week.
and in the playground and who know each child by name. We love poetry at our school and at the moment the whole school community has learned three classical poems. We perform poetry at every opportunity and it’s a sight to behold. Our Master Mission programme encourages students to try new things and builds resilience and confidence. Music, Art and Drama are particular strengths of the school and there are regular clubs and performances to ensure students shine.
5. A bespoke futures programme with planned and personalised careers and confidence interventions to prepare students for each step of their lives beginning in Year 7.
6. Opportunities for parent engagement like no other secondary school. Regular scheduled meetings with the Headteacher, the possibility for parents to review their child’s learning and communicate directly with subject teachers daily using our online ‘Dynamic Progress Reporting’ tool.
7. An outstanding enrichment programme known as the Master Mission to allow students access to a range of experiences, workshops and lessons outside of the timetable, generating rewards and building student resilience – as well as having fun!
Happy and safe environment
Waterside Academy was named due to our unique water side location by the Haggerston Basin of the New Regent’s Canal.
The name reflects the natural, calm and cleansing nature of water mirrored in the atmosphere and ethos of the school. The name also sits well alongside our school values which are defined as ‘care, challenge, confidence and courtesy’. These values are embedded in our school culture.
At Waterside Academy students are happy and safe. Because we are a small school, it is like a family. We are able to get to know each child individually and cater for their needs and preferences. The school is calm and purposeful.
Connecting our community
Waterside Academy is proudly part of the London Borough of Hackney and benefits from its central location in a diverse and interesting community.
Part of our mission is to ensure that students are prepared for life beyond school and this means that we have a focus on developing employability skills and work experience relevant to the local area through our Master Mission programme.
Waterside Academy works with local organisations including Tropical Isles Carnival group, The Crib youth centre, Young Hackney, Hackney Council and Britannia Leisure Centre in order to ensure that our students access what’s on offer and are positive role models in their community.
The Academy has very strong links with the closest primary school, Hackney New Primary School, and has collaborated on projects such as Reading Partners, musical ensembles and sports events.
“ Waterside Academy is a lovely school. Everybody is polite, respectful and well mannered.”
Parent
Similarly Waterside Academy welcomes Sixth Forms, Further Education colleges and local employers to its annual careers fair. Previous years have had over fifty exhibitors so that students can learn about opportunities in the local area.
The school supports a variety of charities in Hackney. Over the last two years we have collected a vast amount of non-perishable goods as a school community. Our students have visited the food bank and are keen to help those less fortunate than themselves.
Life beyond our school
In every interaction from Year 7, we prepare students for life beyond our school. Students begin careers workshops almost immediately and are visited by a range of professionals throughout their school life.
We offer bespoke careers advice and support with choosing post 16 education from very early on. Our Scholarship programme has successfully placed students in fee paying Sixth Forms including
Wellington College, City of London School, Highgate School and Fulham School. These full scholarships would usually cost each student over £60,000.
317-319 Kingsland Road, Hackney, London E8 4DL
Tel: 020 3870 7500
www.watersidecst.org
info@watersidecst.org