About Us
Welcome to Riverside Primary School & Nursery
Part of Rainham Mark Education Trust (RMET)
A message from Mrs Robson - Headteacher:
“I am proud to lead a dedicated and talented team of staff, who work together with our Academy Committee and Trust, to make Riverside the best it can be. Our motto of ‘Happy, Helpful and Hard-working’ and our values of 'Curiosity, Happiness, Aspiration, Respect, Articulacy, Community, Teamwork, Equality and Resilience' underpin everything we do and builds CHARACTER."
Our vision is to give all of our children the very best start in life and the skills to be independent, successful citizens within our society. We take the time to really know our children and their families, personalising the curriculum and environment to meet individual needs and secure the best outcomes. A parent wrote: ‘I firmly believe that we are a happier and healthier family thanks to the dedicated, caring and professional staff at this school.’
We have high expectations of all children who demonstrate our values through having a positive Riverside Attitude towards their learning and behaviour. Ofsted in November 2019, recognised the behaviour and attitudes at Riverside as Outstanding, stating that “Pupils’ behaviour is excellent. Pupils learn to be kind and respectful. They are accepting and tolerant of others who may be different from themselves.”
We are a unique school, being a mainstream primary with 2 integrated resourced provisions for a number of children with Education Health Care Plans for autism and visual impairment. As a fully inclusive school, we take children from a range of abilities, disabilities, cultures and backgrounds. Our children thrive in a culture of mutual respect and understanding. Our outstanding inclusive practices have been recognised by the Inclusion Quality Mark who have awarded us Flagship status for inclusion.
Our partnerships through Rainham Mark Education Trust, brings many opportunities to share best practice and enhance our curriculum offer. At Riverside, we are passionate about giving children experiences which are both exciting and memorable through a creative curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities. Our curriculum is fun, broad and progressive, developing within our children an intrinsic love of learning. We prioritise health and wellbeing, providing a range of therapeutic interventions and developing life skills in order to build resilience and overcome barriers to learning. Our outstanding practices in this field have been recognised by Ofsted, as well as under the Better Medway Health and Wellbeing Award where we achieved Platinum status.
We are proud to be at the heart of our local community and we grow within our children a sense of citizenship, helping them develop respect for the locality, undertaking projects each term as Riverside Rangers. This has included packing shopping for customers at the local Tesco and visiting the elderly at a local care home with cakes made by the children in our fully equipped Cookery Corner. Our inspirational, annual Jobs Fair for Year 6, encourages our children to work hard and be ambitious for their futures. Through this, we have built strong relationships with local businesses, who are always impressed with the values our children demonstrate.
We work in close partnership with our fantastic parents/carers, communicating effectively through our Class Dojo system and operating an open door policy. We have a dedicated PTA, Friends of Riverside Primary School (FoRPS), who organise fund raising events to improve the school environment and experiences for our children. In addition, our Home School Support Worker is available to offer a wealth of support and advice to parents/carers through drop-in sessions, workshops and signposting.
Due to the popularity of the school, we expanded to two forms of entry in our Reception Classes in September 2018 and continue to grow each year. Our Nursery offers morning or afternoon sessions, and our amazing Nursery team support our youngest children to take those important first steps in their learning. The staff know our children and families well, so that when the vast majority of children move into our Reception classes once they reach school age, they experience a smooth transition and continuity of practice.
We are proud of the fantastic Riverside Attitude shown by our whole school community.
The future looks bright at Riverside!
What our parents/carers and visitors say about our school:
“I have been so impressed by your school. I get to see many schools in my work and yours is definitely up there with the best in my opinion. I would like to thank you for your help and support over the last two weeks...”
"Teachers are amazing with the children and respond to their individual needs."
"My child brings his positive attitude home."
"My child loves going to school."
"Encouraging well behaved young people to work hard and be respectful."
"Love the fact we can call the school and speak to a teacher; nothing is too much trouble."
"Clear and attainable targets for children."
"Friendly atmosphere and approachable staff."
"My child has benefited from a variety of experiences, visitors and trips organised by the school and FoRPS."
"Brought the best out in my child."
Is your child due to start school in September 2024?
Please let us know if you would like to come and see our Foundation Stage and school by ringing the office on: 01634 623500
This school is committed to recruiting with care and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
