River Mead School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding

Lowbourne, Melksham, SN12 7EDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

River Mead School is a primary school in Melksham for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 262 schools in Wiltshire. It ranks 7th of 8 primary schools in Melksham. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in October 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 1 October 2024, report published 19 November 2024

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 October 2024

River Mead School is a very special place. This is because the whole school team goes above and beyond to support pupils to flourish. Parents describe the school as knowing their children 'inside out' and 'caring about my children just as much as I do'. Pupils are very well looked after. Staff listen to them and take their concerns seriously. Pupils are proud to attend the school. They fully appreciate the opportunities on offer to them. Pupils enjoy working together and value every member of the school community. Pupils get on well together and treat each other with care and respect. The school is ambitious. It has high expectations for every pupil, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to do well. Pupils at River Mead are happy, safe and well behaved. Parents appreciate the extra help they can access through the school. Parents are proud that their children attend the school.

What the school should improve

  • The school's expectations for behaviour are not as high outside of lessons. As a result, pupils do not behave as well at social times as they do when in lessons. The trust should extend these expectations to cover the rest of the school day.
  • Some older pupils with SEND have not received the expert help needed to build their phonics knowledge securely. They do not read and write as well as they could. The trust should ensure that these pupils benefit from the same approach and high-quality support received by other pupils in the school.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

34 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths38%

38%, 24 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths6%

6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score102

102, 4 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

261 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals42.1%

42.1%, 15.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language17.2%

17.2%, 4.4 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support21.5%

21.5%, 6.7 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan19.5%

19.5%, 13.5 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near River Mead School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Manor CofE VC Primary School0.3 milesOfsted judgements: Good48% met the expected standard
Aloeric Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good42% met the expected standard
Forest and Sandridge Church of England Primary School0.8 milesOfsted judgements: Outstanding77% met the expected standard
Shaw CE Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good69% met the expected standard
Bowerhill Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good65% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
EQUA MEAD LEARNING TRUST
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Miss Louise Harrison
Address
Lowbourne, Melksham, SN12 7ED
Local authority
Wiltshire
URN
139260

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.