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About Us

About Us

Our story so far...

This begins with the success of the amazing team at Spring Common Academy and encouragement from others within our community to increase our system leadership role and spread the reach of high quality special education provision and training.

In 2014 Spring Common School developed as a Teaching School status with a National Leader in Education and in 2015 designated a national support school status.

In January 2016 Spring Common School became Spring Common Academy and successfully became a Multi Academy Trust called Spring Common Academy Trust with intent to grow as a successful organisation.

In June 2016 Spring Common Academy trust was selected from a national field to develop the special school project at the new Community in Cambridgeshire at Alconbury Weald. This project called Alconbury Weald education campus moved to milestone 3 which is detailed design in partnership with Cambridgeshire Local Authority, Atkins global and Morgan Sindall Construction in April 2021. It is the intention of our trustees that this new special school be named as Prestley Wood Academy. This new special school will be mixed age 3 to 19 for 150 pupils.

In November 2018 Spring Common Academy was judged outstanding overall Ofsted report date 18 December 2018, building on the hard work of the staff team and trustees.

During 2020 – 2021 a significant Capital build project was undertaken to improve hygiene and disability access to the building in partnership with Cambridgeshire Local Authority, Oxbury chartered surveyors and Jeakins Weir.

Following a period of transition from September 2020 in January 2021 Dr Kim Taylor OBE became the full time Executive Head/ CEO for the development of the Trust and Julia McIntosh appointed as Head of School at Spring Common Academy by trustees.

In April 2021 the members and trustees agree to change the name of the Trust to Horizons Education Trust with the prospect of more special schools joining the trust.

In May 2021 the former TBAP Unity Academy transferred into the trust as Riverside Meadows Academy with two sites at St Neots and Wisbech as an SEMH special school. This school was judged good and report date was 3 July 2019.

Between May to June 2021 emergency works identified prior to academy transfer completed on the Algores Way site at Wisbech to support the safety of staff and pupils. Significant ICT infrastructure installed on both sites to enable staff and pupils to access wireless using Eastnet supported by ICT Services with new email domains.

In May 2021 The Fenland Education Campus which includes a new SEMH special school for Wisbech moved to Milestone 3 of detailed design with Cambridgeshire Local Authority Atkins Global and Kier. The site identified in Wisbech will be for 60 placement SEMH special school.

Between September 2022 to September 2023, our Trust expands the central team to support CEO and includes: Operations Manager, Management Accountant and Communications and Media.

Spring Common Academy opens a new facility at the Huntingdon Campus of Cambridge regional college to enable a Post 16 class to operate at the college and visits from other students called ‘Stepping Out’ which increases the preparation for adulthood ambition for the school and inclusion opportunities for the college.

1 September 2023 Riverside Meadows – Wisbech Green the new building on Barton Road is handed over by Kier construction and Cambridgeshire County Council to our Trust. The school opens with visits to this amazing building and environment of prospective pupils, previous pupils and their parent/carers.

1 September 2023 Riverside Meadows – St Neots site have a new reception created with a building adaptation that transforms the visitors' entry to the site.

...To be continued!