Spring School to open in September 2023

Spring School logo
Spring School logo

Ambitious about Autism, the Department for Education and Kingston Council have been working together to ensure the borough’s new specialist autism school, Spring School, can open in September 2023.

Following unexpected news regarding the contractors employed by the Department for Education to build Spring School going into administration, we have found a positive solution.  

Spring School will open to pupils in September 2023 on a temporary school site on Coombe Road in Norbiton. This is a purpose-built school site and will be completed in May 2023. Spring School will occupy the site for the 2023-24 academic year while work on the permanent Moor Lane site in Chessington is completed.  

The priority is now to support autistic young people, their families and the local community to ensure a smooth transition for pupils at the start of the academic year in September.  

Andy Nowak, Head of Spring School said:

“This development, while unexpected, is very positive and will aid us in the first year of opening, enabling us to host visits for young people and their families and undertake meaningful transition visits and work before September. I’m confident that the site in Norbiton will provide us with excellent temporary accommodation before we move to our permanent home.

"We’re looking forward to working with the Department for Education on the completion of our Moor Lane site. We anticipate we will move to our permanent home in September 2024.”

Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services including Education Cllr Steph Archer said:

“I’m very pleased that we have been able to work closely with Ambitious about Autism and the Department for Education to quickly find a solution that gives the families and children the reassurance that Spring School will be able to open in September 2023. 


“I have every confidence that Spring School will provide an excellent bespoke education for children and young people with autism in our borough community. ”

Published: 17th March 2023