RB Academy at a glance

Address

5, Staveley Road,
Pune 411 001

Hours

Morning Shift
Classes: 5th to 10th
Time: 7.00a to 12.10p

Afternoon Shift
Classes: Jr KG to 4th
Time: Jr KG, Sr KG: 12.30 to 3.30p
Time: 1st to 4th: 12.30 to 5.20p

Conveyance

Although the school has a bus and a van, availability will depend on routes and timings. Please enquire from the school.

Academics

Meant for children from the ages of 3 years 6 months to 16 years, the school is co-educational, with classes starting from the Junior KG to Standard 10.

Students in Standard 10 have the option of appearing for the Maharashtra State Board, Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or the National Open School Examination (NIOS). RBAcademy is an integrated school, welcoming children from different linguistic, religious and social backgrounds as well as children with diagnosed learning difficulties and physical challenges. The staff student ratio is 1:10.

It is recognised by the Government of Maharashtra but does not receive government aid. Instruction for most subjects is through English. However, the study of Hindi and Marathi is compulsory whereas the study of Sanskrit is optional. The academic year is from mid-June to the end of April.

School Campus

The physical environment of the campus is in keeping with the educational approach of the school. Low rise non-intimidating buildings, open common areas and shade trees – all create a warm, nurturing atmosphere which makes it possible for students to learn and grow naturally. Special care is taken to make the maximum use of available spaces. Because the campus is relatively small, it demands a creative design of activities.

Staff

The school is fortunate to have a team of highly skilled, trained and experienced professionals who not only meet Education Board requirements but also possess a sensitivity which sets them apart in a special way. The age range is wide, giving life at school the breadth of experience as well as the robustness of youth.

To ensure that the standard of education is maintained and constantly strives to evolve to higher levels, regular monitoring and evaluation happens and on-going training and skills enhancement is ensured to enrich technique and knowledge base.

Both the Principal and Head Mistress bring to their roles experience, capability and sensitivity, leading the school with an approach that is both practical and visionary.

The Mentor (who is also the Rewachand Bhojwani Foundations Director of Educational Projects and Programmes) brings to his work 36 years of educational experience and a store of ideas and practice to ensure that the school keeps pace with changing societal needs and challenges.

Classrooms

Ever since the school began effort has been made to keep classroom spaces a comfortable size in order to accommodate students and leave adequate free space so as not to restrict movement. Display charts, wall pictures, instructional material, bring alive the interiors, with a premium placed on the creative efforts of students themselves. Frequently a visitor will come across creative writing, art and photography displayed on the walls, giving students that special sense of belonging.

We believe that learning spaces must be stimulating and non-threatening so as to encourage students to evolve.

Sports Facilities

Even thought the school does not have a substantial playground, nevertheless our two highly experienced and gifted PE Instructors have managed to develop in the students a positive and healthy response to outdoor activities, using the spaces we have as well as that of a nearby sports ground. Our interschool teams of football and other sports have fared well over the years and our students have won national and state level field and track events.

We are of the belief that physicals activity helps children and young people to develop a positive sense of wellbeing and a competitive edge- two very necessary elements required for the healthy growth of a student.

Philosophy

RBAcademy does not espouse any one dominant educational philosophy but integrates the best and most relevant ideas of many great thinkers from both East and West. Though the functional framework and systems in the school are clearly defined and followed, the school's philosophy is constantly evolving as it integrates, alters and discards ideas depending on the needs of the children, the emerging challenges of society and the passage of time. However, certain fundamental beliefs govern the educational approach of the school. One is that learning must be free from fear. Another is that school is a place where children not only grow up to be happy and whole in themselves but must also learn to be sensitive to and responsible for the society in which they live.

The effort here is to be organic, holistic and dynamic. Children must have roots in their own specific contexts but at the same time they must be open to worlds other than their own. We hold that learning grows from and leads back to the learner's environment. We therefore keep our doors wide open to allow outside realities into the school system through a planned community initiative programme. Our objectives carefully balance the needs of developing the individual and the needs of an emerging society which we believe must be an inclusive one. Learning experiences are structured to engineer sensitivity to the marginalised and disadvantaged.

Inclusive Education

RBAcademy mirrors the real world on a small scale. Any modern society comprises of people from different races, cultural traditions, linguistic groups, ethnic and religious backgrounds. And every society has individuals of different abilities, talents, difficulties, disabilities and "handicaps".

All these kinds of people have a place in RBA.

Although the school has a professionally competent and sensitive remedial, special education and small group instruction support programme, there is a ceiling on the number of students with learning and physically challenges that are admitted to ensure that the overall academic and developmental level of the school is maintained.

Learning Approaches

The school has an integrated approach to teaching and learning. At the Academy one can see a synthesis of art, music, dance, theories, methods of teaching and attitudes to learning, which are reflective of the diverse ways in which knowledge can be acquired. The focus is on maximizing the potential of every individual involved in the school - the children, the teachers, the administrators and the parents.

One thrust area is the development of an atmosphere of trust and respect so that individuals can risk making mistakes, learn to make choices, take decisions and face the consequences of their decisions. We encourage and promote the generation of multiple solutions to problems.

RBAcademy approaches include cooperative learning, project related work, community projects, business projects, internet based projects, field visits etc. The emphasis is on learning-by-doing and application.