Queensmill set for new home
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
08/07/2008
Plans to open a brand new state-of-the-art school for children with autism have been reaffirmed by the council.
The proposals, agreed by cabinet earlier this year, will see the Queensmill School for autistic children moved from its historic five-storey Victorian building on Clancarty Road, Fulham to a purpose built, modern building on the site of Gibbs Green in West Kensington.
The plans form part of the council’s primary and special school strategy and follows a consultation on plans to reshape primary and special needs education in the borough, so that the places on offer better match the needs and aspirations of local parents and their children.
Jude Ragan, head teacher at Queeensmill School, said: "We are all incredibly excited about moving into our new home for the start of the 2008-9 academic year. The building that we are currently using is not ideal for children with autism. The move will mean that there is more space for the pupils and separate rooms for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and music therapy as well as specialist areas of teaching such as food preparation, art, music and science. It really is the start of a brand new dawn for all associated with Queensmill."
The move will also see Gibbs Green Special School relocated to a new centre at Langford Primary School in South Fulham.
Cllr Antony Lillis, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: "Queensmill School is already regarded as one of the best schools in the country for autistic children but its current building is far from ideal. This move will provide it with vastly improved facilities and will be beneficial to all of its pupils. The council is committed to providing first-class care to those who need it the most and this decision will allow us to provide autistic children with state-of-the-art services for years to come."
With Queenmill vacating their current home and the adjoining Peterborough School closing at the end of July, the council is in negotiations with the French Government with regards to the possible lease of the site. If an agreement is reached a bilingual school will be created.
Cllr Lillis added: "There have been a series of high level meetings between officials from the French Embassy, the Lycée Francais Charles de Gaulle (backed by the French Government) and the council about the idea of bi-lingual teaching on the Peterborough site. Further discussions are needed before a firm proposal for the French Lycée to offer bilingual education at Peterborough can be made."
