Riverside Special School

Riverside Special School has made significant progress since its previous inspection, moving from an inadequate rating to a good overall effectiveness rating. Leaders have successfully addressed safeguarding issues, ensuring a safe and caring environment for pupils. The school fosters an inclusive curriculum tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students, promoting strong personal development and outstanding behaviour. Notable strengths include an engaging learning atmosphere and a commitment to developing students’ independence and life skills, particularly through community involvement and practical activities.

Strengths

• Outstanding behaviour and attitudes among pupils
• Strong focus on reading and tailored curriculum
• Effective safeguarding measures in place
• Inclusive school environment that promotes physical health
• Exemplary support for personal development and independence
• Well-embedded routines that enhance learning experiences
• Positive relationships between staff and pupils

Areas for Improvement

• Teachers need to better extend pupils' learning opportunities after completing tasks
• Refinement needed in the school's record-keeping system for safeguarding concerns

In 2024–25 pupils at Riverside Special School attended 90.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 29.7% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 1.4% of pupils at Riverside Special School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Riverside Special School had 8.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 8.2% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Riverside Special School had 145 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Riverside Special School received £29,267 and spent £29,461 for each of its 145 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £36,000 (-£247 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Goole · East Riding of Yorkshire local authority: places and applications

What is Riverside Special School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Riverside Special School is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was Riverside Special School last inspected by Ofsted?

Riverside Special School was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does Riverside Special School have?

Riverside Special School has 145 pupils on roll.

What age range does Riverside Special School cover?

Riverside Special School for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Riverside Special School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Riverside Special School?

Riverside Special School is at Ainsty Street, Goole, East Yorkshire, DN14 5JS.