Rivermead School is a community special school for students aged 11 to 19 years old diagnosed with autism. Most students have underlying speech, language and communication difficulties and some have behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. A few students are physically disabled. All students have a statement of special educational needs. About a quarter of students are girls; the rest are boys. Almost all students are from White British backgrounds. About a third of students are supported through the pupil premium. This is above average. This additional government funding is for students who are looked after and for students known to be eligible for free school meals. The school receives a small amount of additional funding for its students in Year 7. There have been some changes in the school since the last inspection. A new headteacher started in September 2014 and had been in post for about two weeks during this inspection. A new assistant headteacher joined the senior leadership team in April 2014. The school works closely with several external services and is linked to the community speech and language therapist service. The school has also employed a qualified speech and language therapist. The sixth form is run through a partnership between the school and Mid-Kent College. Students are not entered early for examinations. The school provides training and support for other local schools through its 6 + 6 Outreach Centre. What does the school need to do to improve further? Improve progress in writing by ensuring that: teachers develop student’s writing skills as soon as they join the school in Year 7 teachers’ marking of writing always leads to improvement, particularly in grammar and punctuation. Improve leadership and management by ensuring that: all school policies, especially the child protection and e-safety policies, are updated when they are due the few more able students in Key Stage 4 and the sixth form have more academic qualifications to choose from.