River Primary School, Dover

From the headteacher's welcome: "The school is situated just outside the main town of Dover, with over 150 years of history. Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning and provide an environment that prepares our pupils to be confident, happy citizens. River is an inclusive school."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, gymnastics, dance and coding.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026, an open day on Thursday 5 November 2026, an open day on Friday 13 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 17 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at River Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 80% in reading and 70% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 57 families put River Primary School as their first choice and 167 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to River Primary School are Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 95% reading, 95% maths); White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School (1 mile, Good, 67% reading, 67% maths); Green Park Community Primary School (1 mile, Outstanding, 52% reading, 57% maths); and Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School (1 mile, Outstanding).

River Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

84 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about River Primary School (as of September 2025): 77% would recommend the school, 87% say their child is happy there and 53% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (91%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (53%).

6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 61 pupils (15.9%) received SEN support and 11 (2.9%) 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 autism.

River Primary School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 12 places, 12 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Kearsney Rail Station, about 530 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Minnis Lane (opposite), 60 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood River Primary School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, River Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 0.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to River Primary School are Dover Christ Church Academy (1.2 miles), Dover Grammar School for Boys (1.3 miles), Astor Secondary School (1.3 miles) and St Edmund's Catholic School (1.5 miles).