Sulivan

Established in October 2025, in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Local Authority and United Learning, Ormiston Queensmill Academy (OQMA) opened a new satellite provision on the grounds of Sulivan Primary School. The purpose-built provision is an autism-specific Early Years and Key Stage 1 setting supporting autistic children from Nursery through to Year 2. It has been designed to deliver high-quality early intervention within a specialist environment. The model is rooted in inclusive and holistic educational practice, with pupil wellbeing and early developmental outcomes at the centre of all provision.

The satellite provision has capacity for up to 40 pupils and currently operates with two classrooms, Ladybird and Bumblebee. A further two classrooms will open by September 2026 as the provision expands to full capacity. All pupils placed within Early Years and Key Stage 1 at Ormiston Queensmill Academy attend the Sulivan satellite, with the main Queensmill site on Askham Road now catering for pupils from Year 3 onwards. All pupils attending the provision have Ormiston Queensmill Academy named on their Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

The Queensmill satellite is physically located within a large, dedicated and self-contained space on the Sulivan Primary School site. While the provision is situated on the same grounds, it operates entirely independently from Sulivan Primary School. Pupils are enrolled at Ormiston Queensmill Academy, are taught exclusively by Queensmill staff, and do not integrate with mainstream pupils for lessons or playtimes.

Each classroom is staffed by a Qualified Teacher, Higher Level Teaching Assistant and up to three Teaching Assistants, depending on pupil need. This staffing model will be replicated as the provision expands. All staff are employed and trained by Ormiston Queensmill Academy and bring extensive experience in supporting autistic children and children with additional needs. The provision is overseen by an Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher who work collaboratively to ensure the effective day-to-day running and strategic development of the satellite. An Occupational Therapist provides direct intervention in line with pupils’ EHCPs, and all staff receive ongoing autism-specific and curriculum training delivered by Ormiston Queensmill Academy.

Class sizes are purposefully kept small to ensure pupils’ learning and individual autism needs can be met. Classrooms follow low-arousal principles and include clearly defined learning areas, an adjoining sensory room and direct access to outdoor provision. The outdoor space includes accessibility swings, a trampoline, climbing equipment, sandpit and bridge. A shared sensory suite offers soft play, water play and body shop facilities, with further spaces such as a library or drama room currently in development.

Pupils are supported to develop independence through the use of personalised schedules, visual supports, objects of reference and first/then boards, as appropriate. Staff carefully model strategies and scaffold learning to support pupils to understand and navigate their school day, while encouraging curiosity, exploration and independence wherever possible. Learning through play is a central feature of the provision.

Pupils follow adapted versions of the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum in line with the wider Queensmill approach. For some pupils, learning begins with a focus on intensive interaction, joint attention and early communication skills before progressing to phonics and more formal learning. As an autism-specific provision, there is a strong emphasis on personal development, including social communication, emotional regulation and resilience. Pupils are supported to develop skills such as sharing, turn-taking, waiting, requesting and managing emotions, alongside creative, sensory and outdoor learning experiences. Opportunities to develop early life skills, including cooking, are embedded within the curriculum.

The Queensmill satellite provision at Sulivan offers a nurturing, highly structured and supportive environment where pupils are supported to make meaningful progress through early intervention and specialist teaching.

Admissions to this provision are via the Local Authority.