Draft:Knowledge Schools Trust

The Knowledge Schools Trust (KST) is a multi-academy trust (MAT) based in England, currently comprising of 11 schools including; 2 sixth forms, 7 primary schools and 2 secondary schools. It was established in 2011 as the West London Free School Academy Trust (2011- 2017), later named the Knowledge Schools Trust.

Its purpose is to provide its pupils with a rigorous and extensive knowledge-rich education, alongside a deep and lasting respect for the values of a modern and diverse world. Its ethos is driven by a common desire to overcome inequality of opportunity..

History
It’s foundations date back to 2009 when co-founder Toby Young announced in the Observer that he intended to open one of the first free schools in the country. An email address was included at the bottom of his article and soon parents and teachers were getting in touch eager to be part of the project.

This led to the establishment of a steering commitee consisting of 12 founders who arranged for the first funding agreement for a free school with the Secretary of State. From this, the West London Free School was formally opened by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson in September 2011.In its first year, the school received over 1,000 applications for the 120 places available. In its opening year, admissions were selected mostly by proximity, then by lottery for the remaining places, with 10% of pupils selected for musical aptitude.

Following the success of the school, the founders sought to share the vision with the wider community and through different stages of education. Within two years of the secondary school’s establishment, West London Free School Primary was opened in 2013, followed by Earl’s Court Free School Primary in 2014, Kensington Primary Academy in 2016, Edlesborough Primary Academy in 2020, Dovery Academy in September 2022, Bedford Road Primary Academy in January 2024.

The Knowledge Schools Trust most recently brought Wixams Academy and Wixams Tree Primary Academy into the trust in March 2024, through a merger with the Bedford College Academy Trust. The trust has also been approved by the Department for Education to open a secondary school in the city of Cambridge

Current KST Schools
Schools part of the Knowledge Schools Trust as of March 2023 include:


 * West London Free School, 2011
 * West London Free School Primary, 2013
 * Earl’s Court Free School Primary, 2014
 * Kensington Primary Academy, 2016
 * Edlesborough Primary Academy, 2020
 * Dovery Academy, 2022
 * Bedford Road Primary Academy, 2024
 * Wixams Academy, 2024
 * Wixams Tree Primary Academy, 2024