River Primary School, based in Dover, provides primary education, serving pupils aged 4 to 11. The school is a community school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
River Primary School currently has around 394 pupils on roll, which is about 92% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50% boys and 50% girls. Around 22.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 4.6%. Persistent absence is recorded at 11%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 12 pupils.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (91.1%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | Lewisham Road, Dover, CT17 0PP |
| Website: | www.river.kent.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01304822516 |
| School Type: | Community school |
| Education phase: | Primary |
| Local authority: | Kent |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Victoria Alliston |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Not applicable |
| Unique reference: | 118393 |
Ofsted inspection date: 07/01/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 4 - 11 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 427 |
| Number of Pupils: | 394 |
| Number of Boys: | 197 |
| Number of Girls: | 197 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 4.6% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 11% | 8.2% |
| White British | 91.10% | 359 |
| Other White | 2.50% | 10 |
| Other Asian | 1.30% | 5 |
| White and Asian | 1.30% | 5 |
| Other Mixed | 1.00% | 4 |
| White and Black African | 0.80% | 3 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.50% | 2 |
| African | 0.50% | 2 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.30% | 1 |
| Unclassified | 0.30% | 1 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.30% | 1 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.30% | 1 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| Chinese | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other Black | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Indian | 0.00% | 0 |
Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Primary School Lewisham Road , River CT17 0PP | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School 3-4 Brookside , Temple Ewell CT16 3DT | 3out of 4 | 1,190 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School 3-4 Brookside , Temple Ewell CT16 3DT | - not rated | 1,190 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Powell School The Linces , Buckland CT16 2BN | - not rated | 1,652 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School St Radigund's Road , CT17 0LB | 3out of 4 | 1,724 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archers Court Maths and Computing College Melbourne Avenue , Whitfield CT16 2EG | - not rated | 2,044 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Dover Christ Church Academy Melbourne Avenue , Whitfield CT16 2EG | - not rated | 2,044 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Dover Christ Church Academy Melbourne Avenue , CT16 2EG | 2out of 4 | 2,076 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Dover Grammar School for Boys Astor Avenue , CT17 0DQ | - not rated | 2,228 yd | Foundation school | No | Boys | More About School |
| Astor Secondary School Astor Avenue , CT17 0AS | 2out of 4 | 2,346 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sallygate School Channels & Choices , Kearsney Manor CT16 3EQ | - not rated | 611 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| DSFAN Limited Willingdon Road , Port Zone CT16 2JX | - not rated | 1,149 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Elms School Elms Vale Road , CT17 9PS | 3out of 4 | 2,369 yd | Foundation special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Dover College International Study Centre Effingham Crescent , CT17 9RH | - not rated | 3,196 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Dover College Effingham Crescent , CT17 9RH | - not rated | 3,196 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.