The Riverview Academy

Overview

Pupils “thrive in this lively and vibrant infant school” where leaders ensure children are “at the heart of everything they do.” The report highlights an “ambitious curriculum” that prioritises character development and reading, resulting in pupils who achieve well and enjoy their time at school.

Strengths

• Leaders have built an “ambitious curriculum” using ‘curriculum capitals’ to help pupils develop qualities needed to be “successful in life.”
• Reading is prioritised with “accurate” phonics teaching; teachers quickly identify and support those who need help, fostering a “love of reading.”
• Personal development is outstanding, with pupils showing “genuine care for one another” and an awareness of equality and fairness.
• Staff effectively support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, adapting teaching so all can “access the curriculum.”
• Parents speak “very positively” about the school, viewing it as a welcoming place where children make good progress.

Areas to improve

• Teachers do not always provide “essential vocabulary” needed for pupils to knowledgeably discuss their learning, hindering articulation.
• Teachers do not always link new learning with prior knowledge, meaning pupils “sometimes struggle to recall important knowledge over time.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff receiving high-quality training and leaders responding quickly to concerns to ensure pupils receive necessary support.