Rivers Primary Academy, Walsall

Ofsted's report card from its 17 March 2026 inspection grades Rivers Primary Academy on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure attendance is a shared responsibility."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school offers a broad and well-planned curriculum that is ambitious for pupils."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children make a positive start to school life."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a warm and inclusive culture, where every pupil is valued."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The leadership team, all appointed since the last inspection, are working with clear purpose and steady determination."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils are considerate and say, ‘We are kind and take care of each other at this school.' They reflect on their actions and show respect for others' views."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, standards have been similar to national expectations in most subjects."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "From early years onwards, leaders should build on their current work to strengthen the curriculum, teaching and how well staff adapt learning to meet pupils' needs"; "Leaders should continue to improve pupils' achievement in writing by ensuring that pupils develop secure transcription and handwriting skills".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Stay connected with our school community - follow our Facebook page for school updates and exciting events! As the Headteacher of Rivers Primary Academy, it is my privilege to lead our wonderful school community. At Rivers, we recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of every child."

Coming up: an open evening on Tuesday 3 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Rivers Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 61% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 74% in Walsall and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 82% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 67 families put Rivers Primary Academy as their first choice and 92 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 11 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Rivers Primary Academy are Goldsmith Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 84% reading, 77% maths); Little Bloxwich CofE VC Primary School (0.6 miles); Sunshine Academy (0.6 miles); and St Michael's Church of England C Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 78% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Rivers Primary Academy.

Rivers Primary Academy is one of 15 schools run by Windsor Academy 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.

27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Rivers Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 78% would recommend the school, 78% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (78%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

51% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 87 pupils (18.8%) received SEN support and 7 (1.5%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Bloxwich Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Goscote Lane (after), 100 metres away.

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

In 2024/25, Rivers Primary Academy issued 20 suspensions, 4.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Rivers Primary Academy are Walsall Academy (0.7 miles) and Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy (1.5 miles).