We are delighted to announce that Richmond Academy has been named as a Microsoft Showcase School for 2022-23 – a prestigious achievement, with only hundreds of schools around the world achieving the accolade each year.
In a recent email to the School, Microsoft’s Worldwide Education Vice President, Rick Herrmann and Senior Education Industry Manager (School Leader Engagement Programs, Microsoft Education) Dina Ghobashy said: “Microsoft has recognised your institution as a Showcase School, an elite group of schools that exemplify the best of teaching and learning in the world today.”
“Only a few institutions earn this designation and you can take pride in knowing that Microsoft recognizes your impact on the future of education. “
“Microsoft Showcase Schools are pioneers in education. You are part of an exclusive global community, recognized and celebrated for educational transformation that includes vision and innovation in teaching, learning, and preparing students for the future.”
The award is made even more significant with the fact that Richmond Academy is ranked as the 8th most deprived school in Kent. A school will a turbulent history of underperformance, staff, pupils and parents have reported a significant change in the atmosphere surrounding the Sheerness Primary School in recent years.
Children making the most of flexible seating and collaboration space.
A school that has never achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in its entire history, Richmond first became an academy in 2014, sponsored by the now dissolved Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust. After being re-brokered to The Stour Academy Trust in 2017, the school has seen a dramatic turnaround where a stable team of staff and Headteacher (current Headteacher Helen Evemy is now the longest serving Headteacher in the school’s history) has given the local community a school to be proud of.
With the Ofsted recognised “stability and renewed sense of ambition” from Headteacher Helen Evemy and “relentless” leadership of The Stour Academy Trust alongside a substantial investment of over £300,000 in recent years on upgrading buildings, premises and the school environment, the respected accolade of becoming a Microsoft Showcase School is the latest landmark in the school’s transformation.
A Microsoft Showcase School is committed to school-wide digital transformation, specifically, using Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework – and the technology that it entails – to drive a culture of learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
The schools are dedicated to providing improved teaching methods for staff and improved learning outcomes for students, having the necessary technology in place to effectively manage transitions, such as to remote or hybrid learning scenarios.
In addition, this year, 9 staff from across The Stour Academy Trust were selected to become Microsoft Innovators in Education Experts (MIEEs) joining an elite group of teachers around the world recognised by Microsoft for their innovative use of Microsoft products in their teaching and learning.
In becoming a Showcase School, Microsoft will be supporting Richmond in its quest to inspire lifelong learning, stimulating development of essential future-ready skills so students are empowered to achieve more.
Benefits include groups, teams and worldwide collaboration with like-minded school leaders and education innovators to further transform learning; access to Microsoft events and tech launches; partner and product support; access to up-to-date guidance, resources, and research; and elevating Richmond’s visibility and role as a leading institution.
Helen Evemy, Headteacher of Richmond Academy:
I am immensely proud of Richmond and the journey we have been on; to be awarded this status in such a short time represents the significant changes we have made as a team to ensure our children are served fully for the 21st Century. I am determined that our community will continue to flourish; our children are a credit to us all and have embraced our vision for education fully.
Antoinette Hamilton, Digital Teaching and Learning Lead for The Stour Academy Trust:
Our vision for learning has allowed us to empower our children to achieve more and develop future ready skills. All our children benefit from an equitable education which has been enhanced by the effective use of technology, such as immersive reader, the use of video and audio, Green Screen, Virtual Reality and other apps that provide children with inclusive experiences that inspire them to be lifelong learners.
