We are delighted to announce that two exceptional London specialist schools for autism, Queensmill School and Kensington Queensmill School, as well as their satellite provisions at Fulham Primary, Fulham Cross Academy and Avondale Primary, have officially joined Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) as of 1 December.
This marks an exciting new chapter for these schools as they become part of OAT, a values-led organisation committed to inclusion and delivering high-quality education that empowers children and young people to thrive.
Ormiston Academies Trust already operates 42 schools across the country, including three alternative provision settings in West London and a special school in Suffolk. With this expansion, we’re proud to strengthen our commitment to inclusion and continue building expertise in specialist education.
As part of this transition, the schools will adopt new names, Ormiston Queensmill Academy and Ormiston Kensington Queensmill Academy, retaining their strong connection to the local community while reflecting their integration into the Ormiston family.
The decision to merge followed a period of collaboration between The Queensmill Trust (TQT) and Ormiston, based on shared values and a mutual focus on inclusion. This partnership enables both organisations to build on their successes, share expertise, and work together to deliver exceptional educational outcomes.
Freddie Adu, Chief Executive Officer of The Queensmill Trust, said: “We are thrilled to officially join Ormiston Academies Trust. This partnership strengthens the support available to our staff and provides access to Ormiston’s extensive specialist expertise. We look forward to working collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for our pupils.”
Tom Rees, Chief Executive Officer of Ormiston Academies Trust, added: “We are so pleased to welcome the Queensmill schools to Ormiston. Their expertise in specialist education will enrich our Trust and benefit schools across our network as we work together to deliver a high-quality education for every child.”
Cllr Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Family and Children’s Services, said: “We are immensely proud of Kensington Queensmill School and the state-of-the-art services and resources it has brought into Kensington and Chelsea. The school gives children with special educational needs and disabilities a welcoming and inspiring space to thrive, while being conveniently located for our residents.
“In joining the Ormiston Academies Trust, Kensington Queensmill will continue to provide exceptional outcomes for its pupils with even more opportunities available to enrich their lives through shared resources and learning. We look forward to this exciting new chapter.”
Welcome to the Ormiston family, Ormiston Queensmill Academy and Ormiston Kensington Queensmill Academy!