Riverside School

Riverside School continues to demonstrate high standards and effectively maintains the quality of education identified in its previous inspection. With a strong focus on the well-being of pupils, the school creates personalized learning experiences that support academic growth, self-help, and social skills. The nurturing environment fosters a sense of safety and happiness among students, who appreciate the strong connections between staff and families. The school's commitment to character development is evident through their inclusive curriculum and broad range of extracurricular opportunities. These initiatives help pupils build confidence and promote independence, preparing them for life beyond school. The ungraded inspection confirms that Riverside School effectively collaborates with parents and utilizes a multi-agency approach to meet the diverse needs of its learners, ensuring ongoing positive outcomes.

Strengths

• Pupils' well-being is central to the school's ethos.
• High levels of pupil happiness and safety.
• Strong partnerships with parents to support learning.
• Effective personalisation of learning journeys for each pupil.
• Commitment to developing pupils' communication skills.
• Robust attendance monitoring and support.
• A diverse range of extracurricular experiences to build confidence.

In 2024–25 pupils at Riverside School attended 88.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 35.8% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Riverside 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 School had 6.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 10.7% 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 School had 360 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; autistic spectrum disorder.

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 School received £31,566 and spent £35,023 for each of its 360 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £687,000 (-£1,911 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 Bromley · Bromley local authority: places and applications

What is Riverside School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Riverside School is Outstanding, from an inspection in December 2024.

When was Riverside School last inspected by Ofsted?

Riverside School was last inspected in December 2024.

How many pupils does Riverside School have?

Riverside School has 360 pupils on roll.

What age range does Riverside School cover?

Riverside School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is Riverside School?

Riverside School is at Main Road, St Paul's Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3HS.