Ormiston Kensington Queensmill Academy Nursery Review

Environmental sounds for one child, letter sounds for another: individual starting points shape early learning at Ormiston Kensington Queensmill Academy. Its nursery provision belongs to a specialist school for autistic children and young people with significant learning difficulties, with the school’s age range running from 3 to 19. The emphasis is on communication and learning adapted to the child.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 17 and 18 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning begins with what a child can understand and use. The academy takes a multisensory, topic-based approach, adapting teaching to individual interests and strengths where possible. Its EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) topic Looking after Myself gives early learning a practical focus: developing skills connected to children’s own needs and everyday experiences.

Communication takes several forms here. The academy uses a Total Communication Approach, and reading can involve making meaning from objects, pictures or symbols as well as written words. For a child beginning to communicate choices, recognising an object or using a picture can be a meaningful learning step. Shared attention and engagement come before more demanding reading tasks for many pupils.

In October 2023, early years children worked on different sound-learning goals, including recognising sounds around them or connecting letters with sounds. Sensory activities helped children develop number understanding in small stages. These examples show what personalisation means in practice: children can work towards different goals rather than complete an identical task.

The school building was purpose-built for pupils with autism and significant learning difficulties. The academy describes its learning spaces as low-arousal, giving the physical setting the same focus on children’s needs as its teaching approach.

Learning steps. In October 2023, some subjects across the school needed clearer sequencing, while personal learning targets were sometimes insufficiently aligned with EHC plan goals. These were school-wide concerns. For families, the practical question is how each next learning step connects to their child’s plan.

Starting at the academy involves a transition plan developed with parents and, where applicable, the child’s existing setting. Visits, social stories and photo books can form part of that preparation, with the approach led by the child. Familiarity is built before the move.

Therapeutic support forms part of the school’s team structure, including occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Parents contribute alongside class teams and therapists when Personalised Learning Plan targets are agreed. Progress is considered through termly targets and an annual EHCP review, creating specific points for families to discuss their child’s learning.

Mealtimes receive practical attention. The catering team can accommodate dietary requirements and change how food is presented to suit individual needs. Staff receive occupational therapy training covering sensory and language strategies, changes to the eating environment and support for independence. Parents can receive this training too, helping families use related approaches at home.

Four designated safeguarding leads respond to concerns across the school. A Family Support Worker can also assist families on Child In Need or Child Protection plans with understanding autism and transferring school strategies into home life.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Keep the next placement decision separate from the benefits of becoming familiar with the academy.

This is a specialist setting: admission criteria include an EHC plan and working at academic levels well below age-related expectations. The local authority’s SEN process includes consultation about whether the school can meet the child’s needs. Families should discuss the move to Reception with their local authority SEN team rather than assume nursery attendance settles the placement. The academy works with the Bi-Borough SEN department for Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

For enquiries, telephone the academy office on 0203 745 7044 or use its contact form, selecting School Office. The academy also invites families to contact the office to make an appointment.

School uniform can be bought online. Meal payments can be made through the Arbor Parent Portal; contact the school for current charges. These are school-level arrangements, so keep them distinct from any nursery session agreement.