Laura Billingham
@mrs_billingham
Deputy Headteacher at River Academy, Reading's newest school.
Keep trying and believing. You can do big brave things Image: instagram.com/grace.and.comp…
School’s out! 24-25 really has been the BEST year. Year 1 at @RiverAcReading is complete!
It is an absolute no-brainer. Now, parents are asking us to persuade students to spend less time on phones at home. The answer: don’t give your child a smart phone in the first place. Or at the very least, put restrictions in place and manage their use.
📱School leaders say banning phones has been 'transformational', with a drop in suspension rates, safeguarding concerns and even staff turnover schoolsweek.co.uk/transformation…
Reminder to myself (and all of you amazing school leaders): Breathe, connect, and maybe sneak in an extra cup of coffee. We're almost there!
Students have made exceptional progress this year as a result of the #determination shown both in the classroom and in Home Learning using @SparxReader. A huge thank you to parents too who have supported this, living our value of #community.
Reading changes lives! So rightfully, reading is at the core of everything that we do at River Academy. The result? More than 60% of our students have made more than 12 months progress in their reading in just 8 months. Find out how we did this: river-academy.co.uk/attachments/do…
We are incredibly lucky to work with Mr Mo, another of @RiverAcReading’s own staff recognised in this year’s @MaidenErleghTru Values In Action Awards. He is an absolute ⭐!
Values in Action - Working Together @mrs_billingham Thank you for your nomination. @RiverAcReading We are the BEST team. We are River. We are the winner!
Such a fantastic weekend on @RiverAcReading’s first residential trip at @PGLTravel Liddington. A huge thanks to Miss Moore for leading the trip and to the staff body for accompanying. Students were amazing, and should be very proud of what they achieved! #WorkHardPlayHard
Our first residential trip as a brand new school and @RiverAcReading students are loving it. So many compliments from the instructors about great manners and engagement. A year in and the hard work to shape character and community is definitely paying off. #WorkHardPlayHard
Clear, consistent routines aren’t just good for behaviour — they help children feel safe, reduce anxiety, and free up mental space for learning. Predictability is powerful.
We think this is going to have such a positive impact at River Academy! Keep us updated!
The sheer number of people dunking on this school is wild. These same people will be in schools doing INSET on MWB for the 15th time. If you want to drive a school forward, you need to get everyone on the same page to ensure consistency. There is nothing bad about this.
Yesterday I shared a photo from staff training where we practised line ups. Line ups are a small but important routine that that support our school culture. The backlash has been surprising and disappointing so let me explain why we do them, what we do and why it works! 🧵👇
We’re having a fantastic Inset Day @TheWellsAcademy! @NAveyard has reminded us of our core routines linked to upholding a culture of high expectations, including meet and greet, end and send, corridor culture and line ups. Sweating the small stuff! Leaving nothing to chance!
Solidarity to the Leaders who practise visible systems in well run, safe schools that serve whole communities of children. 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
We’re having a fantastic Inset Day @TheWellsAcademy! @NAveyard has reminded us of our core routines linked to upholding a culture of high expectations, including meet and greet, end and send, corridor culture and line ups. Sweating the small stuff! Leaving nothing to chance!
Strategies that ensure 100% of students are thinking need to be the norm. These strategies need to be highly visible.
NEW POST Systematic inclusion: Is literally everyone thinking, talking, practising, learning? How much does it matter to you. teacherhead.com/2025/06/25/sys…
I am in awe of the progress and outcomes of this cohort. They have been the epitome of #WorkHardPlayHard this year, and really have set the tone for the year groups that follow.
We finished the week celebrating the Cumulative Assessments. Many congratulations to those who were recognised for showing real grit and determination, those who made outstanding progress, and those who secured the top marks. So much #excellence in the room! #WorkHardPlayHard
1. If you want children with strong mental health, don’t give them a phone. 2. If you want children with the ability to focus and a lasting attention span, don’t give them a phone. 3. If you want children who sleep soundly and wake up rested, don’t give them a phone. 3. If you…