The River School

Established in 1985, the school is a Christian institution governed by the Worcester Christian Education Trust. Its educational approach is rooted in the belief that character development, strong relationships, and love are foundational to academic success. The school aims to provide a nurturing environment where every individual is valued as being made in the image of their Creator, helping pupils develop the skills and discipline to realize their potential.

The school offers an all-through education starting with the Brook Nursery (ages 2-4), followed by Primary (ages 4-11) and Senior School (ages 11-16). The curriculum is designed to build foundational knowledge from the early years through to the GCSE level. The school emphasizes a "whole child" approach, integrating academic progress with outdoor learning and character development.

The school is not an SEN specialist centre, though it does support pupils with special educational needs. It accommodates a small number of pupils with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) where the school is the named provider, subject to agreement with the relevant Local Authority and the school's ability to meet the pupil's needs within the existing cohort.

The school welcomes applications for pupils from Nursery through to Year 9, with admissions to GCSE years (10 and 11) considered only in exceptional circumstances. It does not use entrance exams and does not select pupils based on academic ability, church affiliation, or socio-economic background. Applications received after 30th June may not be processed until the following September, and the school maintains a policy of small class sizes to ensure each child is known and supported.

The school operates on a three-term structure (Autumn, Spring, and Summer). Terms typically conclude in mid-December for the Autumn term, late March for the Spring term, and early July for the Summer term. The school breaks for the summer earlier than state-maintained schools.

Located at Oakfield House in Worcester, the school is set within extensive grounds that include a dedicated Forest School area. The campus provides natural surroundings for outdoor learning, including space for climbing, exploring, and nature study. The school also offers wrap-around care services.

The school provides a range of activities, including a dedicated Forest School programme for children aged 2 to 11. Outdoor activities include den building, whittling, fire-lighting, cooking, and nature exploration, which are designed to foster teamwork, communication, and physical coordination. Additionally, the school hosts community events such as end-of-year summer fun days featuring barbecues, stalls, and games.