SchoolScoresRivermead School
Special academy · All-through, ages 4 to 16 · Mixed
Part of RIVERMEAD INCLUSIVE TRUST
Forge Lane, Gillingham, ME7 1UG
01634 338348 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 18 September 2014. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 21 February 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
23 pupils in this year group.
4% — 40 points below the Medway average, and 41 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 4% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 13.3 | 46.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 1.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
25 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Medway average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 54% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 16% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 100% | 92% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Medway. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round. It caters for: Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability.
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 64.3% | 53.6%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 99.3% | 99.7%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.7% | 0.3%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 2.2% | 8.8%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 14.5% | 12.4%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 34.3% | 32.1%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 7.9 | 13.5 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 4.3% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.27% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 3.9 | 2.6 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 8.6% | 8.0%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- Alchemy School 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 5 expected
- Danecourt School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2024 · 0% met expected standard (KS2)
- Blue Skies School 2.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Ripplevale School Rochester 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Rivermead School's Ofsted rating?
Rivermead School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 September 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 21 February 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Rivermead School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 4% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 41 points below the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 142555.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.