River Mead School, Melksham

In its own words: "“All the staff at the school are very caring and understanding. They always make sure the child’s voice is listened to and that they matter!” At our school, children are given irresistible opportunities through playful learning and adult-led activities, making full use of learning environment indoors and outdoors. Our nursery provision provides high-quality pre-school experiences for our children."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 47% of Year 6 pupils at River Mead School reached the expected standard in reading and 44% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 73% in Wiltshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 56% in reading and 50% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 23 families put River Mead School as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 23 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to River Mead School are The Manor CofE VC Primary School (0.3 miles, Requires improvement, 60% reading, 68% maths); Aloeric Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 58% reading, 64% maths); Forest and Sandridge Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 87% reading, 83% maths); and Shaw CE Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 72% reading, 75% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than River Mead School.

River Mead School is one of 22 schools run by Equa Mead Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

57 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about River Mead School (as of September 2025): 91% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child does well at the school (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

42.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 56 pupils (21.5%) received SEN support and 51 (19.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

River Mead School has a SEN unit for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, visual impairment, other difficulties or disabilities, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties: 35 places, 37 pupils on roll.

River Mead School had 20 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Melksham Rail Station, about 750 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Forest Road (sw-bound), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood River Mead School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 152 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Wiltshire (34), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, River Mead School issued 24 suspensions, 8.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.