Paralympian officially opens school for children with autism in west London

Staff and pupils at The Rise School in Feltham, West London, warmly welcomed Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan MBE when he officially opened the school’s new building on Friday 7 October, 2016.

The Rise School opened in September 2014 under the Government’s Free School programme. It is the first school to be opened by the Autism School’s Trust, a Multi Academy Trust. The school provides specialist teaching to pupils with autism aged 4 to18 and is located on the same site as Springwest Academy. This enables the secondary aged pupils from The Rise School to access a range of learning and social opportunities in a mainstream setting whilst still receiving the specialist support they need. The school offers a broad curriculum and as pupils make their journey through their educational career they have access to qualifications such as GCSEs, A-levels and vocational BTECs.

Pupils at The Rise School are supported by a team of qualified teachers, a behaviour and welfare team, teaching and learning assistants with speech and language therapists and occupational therapists working together to enable them to achieve outstanding outcomes for their pupils.

Ade Adepitan MBE, said:

 “I am absolutely delighted to have been invited by the pupils of The Rise to officially open their new school. It’s fantastic to know that children with autism are receiving an education where their special educational needs can be met so they can reach their full potential.  I’m very much looking forward to getting a tour of the school and especially the sports facilities where I hope to throw a few balls around with the pupils.”

Lord Nash, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for the School System, said;

“It is wonderful to witness how the free schools programme can facilitate such innovative and specialised schools that are able to serve the local community in the best way possible. I am delighted that, being co-located alongside Springwest Academy, The Rise School will give pupils with autism a large range of learning opportunities and the chance to thrive, both educationally and socially, in an environment suited to them.”

Sarah Roscoe, Head Teacher of The Rise School, said;

“Today is a very special day for The Rise School’s community and we’re delighted that Ade Adepitan was able to come along and share it with us. It has been an incredible journey for the whole school community, from our posh porta cabins to our state of the art new building we see today.  Days like this make the journey truly worthwhile and I am so very proud of all associated with our school.

“I am passionate about providing the very best educational opportunities for our school community. The Rise is a very special place for children and young people to learn. The new building gives us all a positive learning environment where pupils are enabled to learn, thrive and be happy, working hand in hand with our families. We believe we are giving our pupils the best preparation for the next stage of their lives so they can succeed in life after school. Ultimately I am so very proud of the pupils and staff of The Rise, who together ensure that our school is a very special and exciting place to be.”

The Rise School was set up in response to a growing demand for school places for children with autism. The school is sponsored by the Autism Schools Trust - a partnership between Ambitious about Autism and Dimensions, two national not-for-profit organisations that have proven expertise in delivering autism services.   

For further information, please contact our media manager on 020 8815 5134 or email press.office@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk.

ENDS.

Notes to editor

• The official opening will take pace at The Rise School, Browell’s Lane, Feltham, TW13 7EF (on the same site as Springwest Academy was Feltham Community College) on Friday 7 October at 11.00am. 
• The Autism Schools Trust is a multi-academy trust that supports the development of new special schools to enable children and young people with autism to learn and succeed. 
• The Rise School was made possible from funding by the Department for Education, Education Funding Agency, Springwest Academy, Prospero World, the Heathrow Community Fund, local community partners, and all the staff and parents at The Rise School.
• Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. We provide specialist services, raise awareness and understanding and campaign for the rights of children and young people with autism to learn, thrive and achieve.
• Dimensions is a specialist provider of a wide range of services for people with learning disabilities and people who experience autism. We are a not-for-profit organisation, supporting around 3,500 people and their families throughout England and Wales.