Rivermead School

In 2024–25 pupils at Rivermead School attended 85.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.2% 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, 4.3% of pupils at Rivermead 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 Rivermead School had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 8.6% 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 Rivermead School had 163 pupils, 98.2% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; 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 2024–25 Rivermead School received £15,519 and spent £10,258 for each of its 151 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £96,000 (£633 per pupil).

Across all 6 schools of Rivermead Inclusive Trust, income was £9,787 and spending £10,366 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Gillingham · Medway local authority: places and applications

Rivermead School is part of Rivermead Inclusive Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• The Academy of Woodlands Gillingham
• Luton Primary School Chatham
• Hoo St Werburgh Primary School and the Marlborough Rochester
• INSPIRE Free Special School Chatham
• Walderslade Primary School Chatham

How many pupils does Rivermead School have?

Rivermead School has 163 pupils on roll.

What age range does Rivermead School cover?

Rivermead School for pupils aged 4 to 16.

What are Rivermead School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 14.0, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Rivermead School?

Rivermead School is at Forge Lane, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1UG.