Riverwalk School

Riverwalk School demonstrates a strong overall performance in providing quality education for its pupils with complex needs. The school fosters a positive and supportive environment that allows pupils to thrive socially and academically, aided by consistent teaching strategies and individualized support. Despite experiencing significant changes in leadership and joining a new trust, the school has actively worked to implement a clearer vision for high-quality education and has made notable improvements in its curriculum and student engagement. However, there are still areas that require attention, particularly in refining the curriculum to assess subject-specific knowledge effectively and enhancing communication of changes to staff.

Strengths

• Provides skilful support for pupils with complex needs.
• Creates a safe and happy learning environment.
• Implements a curriculum that enhances life skills.
• Encourages social skills and independence through activities.
• Offers effective phonics and reading support.
• Strong early years provision that promotes language development.
• Well-considered sixth-form curriculum focused on readiness for adulthood.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum assessment lacks clarity in some areas.
• Communication of leadership changes could be improved.
• Governance structures are not yet fully effective.

In 2024–25 pupils at Riverwalk School attended 89.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 34.4% 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, 0.5% of pupils at Riverwalk 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 Riverwalk School had 8.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 23.0% 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 Riverwalk School had 217 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.

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 Riverwalk School received £29,791 and spent £26,400 for each of its 218 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £103,000 (-£474 per pupil).

Across all 14 schools of Consortium Trust, income was £14,612 and spending £14,475 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 Bury St. Edmunds · Suffolk local authority: places and applications

Riverwalk School is part of Consortium Trust, which runs 14 schools. The nearest others:

• Henley Primary School Ipswich
• Helmingham Primary School and Nursery Stowmarket
• St Edmund's Primary School Eye
• Mendham Primary School Harleston
• Rendlesham Primary School Woodbridge
• Yoxford & Peasenhall Primary Academy Saxmundham
• Middleton Community Primary School Saxmundham
• Glebeland Community Primary School Beccles
• Southwold Primary School Southwold
• Barnby and North Cove Community Primary School Beccles

What is Riverwalk School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Riverwalk School is Good, from an inspection in September 2024.

When was Riverwalk School last inspected by Ofsted?

Riverwalk School was last inspected in September 2024.

How many pupils does Riverwalk School have?

Riverwalk School has 217 pupils on roll.

What age range does Riverwalk School cover?

Riverwalk School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

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

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

Where is Riverwalk School?

Riverwalk School is at Mayfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2PD.