Queensmill to move to Gibbs Green site
The school which taught famous autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire is to relocate to the site of Gibbs Green Special School. A new state-of-the-art school for children with autism were given the go-ahead on 7 January after Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Cabinet agreed to close Gibbs Green Special School and relocate its provision as a new centre at Langford Primary School in South Fulham.The decision 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 new centre at Langford Primary School, Gilstead Road, will have specialist facilities for pupils who are having difficulties in mainstream primary schools. The move means that children previously attending Gibbs Green will have their needs met within the inclusive environment of a mainstream school.
The plans form part of H&F 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.
The building that is currently used by the Queensmill School 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.
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."
January 11, 2008