Our Story

Our story begins with people.

It starts with the dedication, skill and belief of the incredible team at Spring Common Academy, supported by families, partners and a wider community who shared a simple but powerful ambition: that more children and young people with special educational needs should have access to exceptional education, care and opportunity.

As confidence grew, so did our sense of responsibility. We were encouraged to share what we had learned, to support others, and to play a wider leadership role within special education.

In 2014, Spring Common School became a Teaching School, led by a National Leader in Education. This recognised the strength of practice across the school and the willingness to support and train others. The following year, the school was designated a National Support School, extending its impact even further.

A landmark moment came in January 2016, when Spring Common School officially became Spring Common Academy and established the Spring Common Academy Trust. This was a clear statement of intent: to grow carefully, purposefully and always with children and young people at the heart of decision‑making.

Soon after, in June 2016, we were selected from a national field to lead the development of a brand‑new special school at Alconbury Weald in Cambridgeshire. Working in partnership with Cambridgeshire Local Authority, designers and construction teams, plans progressed over several years. By April 2021, the project had reached detailed design. Trustees intend this school, Prestley Wood Academy, to welcome 150 pupils aged 3 to 19, creating a nurturing and inclusive environment in a growing new community.

In 2018, Spring Common Academy was judged Outstanding by Ofsted, a proud moment that reflected years of hard work, teamwork and high expectations for every learner.

Between 2020 and 2021, significant improvements were made to the Spring Common site, enhancing hygiene standards and accessibility. These changes ensured buildings were safe, welcoming and fit for the future.

As our vision continued to expand, trustees and members took an important step in April 2021, renaming the Trust Horizons Education Trust. The new name reflected our values, our ambitions and the growing number of schools joining us on this journey.

In May 2021, Riverside Meadows Academy joined the Trust, with sites in St Neots and Wisbech, providing specialist SEMH education. The school was already rated Good by Ofsted, and joining Horizons created new opportunities for collaboration, investment and growth. Immediate work was undertaken to improve site safety and strengthen digital infrastructure, ensuring staff and pupils had the tools they needed to thrive.

That same year, work progressed on the Fenland Education Campus in Wisbech, including plans for a new SEMH special school offering 60 places, developed in close partnership with local authority and construction teams.

To support this growing family of schools, the Trust strengthened its central team between 2022 and 2023, bringing in specialist expertise in operations, finance and communications. These roles help ensure that leaders and school teams can focus fully on what matters most: children and young people.

Innovation continued with the opening of a new post‑16 facility at Cambridge Regional College’s Huntingdon Campus, offering students real‑world experiences, increased independence and valuable preparation for adulthood through the ‘Stepping Out’ programme.

In September 2023, another major milestone was reached with the opening of the new Riverside Meadows Academy – Wisbech Green. Families, pupils past and present, and staff were welcomed into a modern, purpose‑built environment designed around wellbeing, inclusion and ambition. At the same time, the St Neots site was enhanced with a new reception area, creating a more welcoming first impression for visitors and families.

Today, Horizons Education Trust continues to grow with care and courage—looking ahead with optimism, grounded in strong partnerships, and driven by the belief that every child deserves a horizon full of possibility.