Riverbank School

Overview

Riverbank School continues to be an outstanding school, providing a supportive environment where "every moment matters" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND). The report highlights a "kindness and quiet determination" among staff, who work closely with families and external services to help pupils overcome barriers and thrive. Leaders maintain high ambitions for all pupils, ensuring they are well-prepared for independent lives and future employment.

Strengths

• Staff demonstrate a "relentless commitment to overcoming barriers to learning" by deeply understanding individual pupil diagnoses and adapting provision accordingly.
• The curriculum is carefully structured through "Navigator, Explorer and Adventurer pathways," ensuring appropriate support for diverse needs, including speech and language difficulties.
• Pupils benefit from enriching experiences such as forest school, theatre visits, and public performances, which help them develop interests and confidence.
• The school council empowers pupils to have a "powerful voice" in improving the school and engaging with the wider community.
• Effective interventions, including regular phonics sessions and a lunchtime reading club, help pupils develop essential literacy skills quickly.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training to identify risks such as gang culture or online exploitation and acting with urgency to address concerns.