A new secondary school in Reading is holding a taster day this month prior to its opening.
The River Academy in Richfield Avenue will be the newest secondary school in the town, located next to Rivermead Leisure Centre and the Reading Festival site.
The school will be run by the Maiden Erlegh Trust, which manages other schools in Earley, East Reading and Sonning Common.
The River Academy is currently under construction and is set to open next month.
Once complete, it will host a total of 1,500 pupils, made up of pupils aged 11-16 within eight-year groups and a 300-place sixth form.
The Maiden Erlegh Trust has announced that the school will open for Year 7 pupils in September 2024.
READ MORE: Drone image shows progress of new secondary school being built
A spokesperson for the Trust explained: “When the school opens in September 2024 it will be for Year 7 only.
“The other year groups will open up year on year until the school is full.
“For entry into Year 7 in September, parents will need to complete the additional application form which can be found on the River Academy website.
“It can also be obtained from Brighter Futures for Children who are managing the admission process on behalf of River Academy.”
Ahead of its opening, the school’s appointed headteacher and staff are holding an open evening where parents and guardians can learn what the school will offer pupils.
The evening will be held at the Rivermead Leisure Complex in Richfield Avenue from 5pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 20.
Booking is required using an online form on the Maiden Erlegh Trust website.
The plan for the River Academy was approved in June 2022, with hopes that it could open this year.
However, the completion date has since been revised to September 2024.
A site in Richfield Avenue was initially considered by the council as a place for permanent pitches for travelling communities, but that plan was abandoned in favour of a school being built in the area.
Since then, the council settled on a location for seven Traveller pitches in Island Road, Whitley, a project that was approved in October 2022.
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