River Primary School
Lewisham Road, River, Dover, CT17 0PP
Ofsted inspection
Rated across 5 areas
Inspected 07/01/2025 · Ofsted no longer gives a single grade
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
394
Ages
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
394
Headteacher
Mrs Victoria Alliston
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Rated across 5 areas
Local authority
Kent
About River Primary School
Based in Dover, River Primary School is a primary school for children aged 4 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 394 pupils. That makes it one of the larger primary schools in Dover on our figures. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Mrs Victoria Alliston leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 7 January 2025, River Primary School was judged Good. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
The latest published key stage 2 figures show 62% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 4.0%, which is attendance of about 96.0% (2024/25). Around 20.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at River Primary School
You apply for a place at River Primary School on the primary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 15 January. Where there are more applications than places, the school's published oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place, typically starting with looked-after children and siblings. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
River Primary School is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Speech, language and communication. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 12; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
River Primary School contact details and location
You will find River Primary School at Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent, CT17 0PP. The school office can be reached on 01304 822516. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted did not give a single overall grade at this inspection (its policy from September 2024).
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Early Years
Quality of nursery and Reception
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 07/01/2025.
River Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
River Primary School does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County Council using published oversubscription criteria. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If River Primary School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerRiver Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at River Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 12; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
Specialisms
- Speech
- language and communication
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at River Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
River Primary School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
River Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at River Primary School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming River Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is River Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated River Primary School Good at its inspection on 7 January 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is River Primary School and what ages does it take?
River Primary School has around 394 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does River Primary School offer?
River Primary School is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Speech, language and communication. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are River Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
River Primary School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is River Primary School and how do I contact the school?
River Primary School is at Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent, CT17 0PP. The office number is 01304 822516. A map and directions are on this page.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
Report an update →Do you run a business for families in Dover?
Local businesses, tutors, clubs and nurseries can have a full profile page here, in front of the parents already reading about Dover schools.
Get my profile builtSchools near River Primary School
The closest schools to CT17 0PP, measured from each school's own location.
Dover · Primary · 0.7 miles
Temple Ewell CofE Primary School
Dover · Primary · 1.0 miles
White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts
Dover · Primary · 1.0 miles
Green Park Community Primary School
Dover · Primary · 1.0 miles
Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School
Dover · Primary · 1.3 miles
Whitfield Aspen School
Dover · Primary · 1.4 miles
Barton Junior School
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on River Primary School and we'll review it before the page changes.