Dukes Education 'delighted' as plans approved to redevelop Kneller Hall into private school
Dukes Education has announced it is "delighted" that its planning application to transform Kneller Hall into a private school has been approved.
Following Richmond Council's decision on 21 May, the education group confirmed that work will begin this autumn at the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site, which has stood vacant since 2021.
Dukes Education says the new facilities—including state-of-the-art sports areas, performing arts spaces, and outdoor learning environments—will "offer opportunities for students to pursue their interests and develop their skills."
The school will also feature new science labs, design and technology classrooms, a Forest School, and a dedicated Nature Reserve to "add breadth and depth to pupils' day-to-day experience."
Founder and Chairman of Dukes Education, Aatif Hassan, said: "We are incredibly excited that work on Kneller Hall can now begin in earnest.
"It is a privilege to develop this historic building—such a well-loved landmark in the Whitton and Twickenham area—and to build on its educational legacy, first as a training college for teachers and later as the Royal Military School of Music.
"The school and its grounds will be a fantastic asset for families in the local area, and we look forward to forging deeper links with the community. I would like to thank our parents, students, staff, and local residents for their patience during the planning process."
Richmond Council officers concluded that proposals to relocate and expand Radnor House School to the Kneller Hall site in Whitton would "increase educational choice for parents," including provision for an additional 44 places for children with special educational needs.
Under the plans, pupils in Years 7 to 13 at Radnor House would move to the newly established Kneller Hall School.
The site, purchased from the MoD in 2021, spans 30 acres and includes the Grade II listed Kneller Hall mansion, which dates back to the 1700s and was home to the Royal Military School of Music for almost 170 years.
The school will grow incrementally from an initial intake of 520 students to eventually accommodate up to 1,000 pupils.
Amy Cavilla, Principal of Kneller Hall School, added: "I am thrilled that this ambitious project now has the green light. Kneller Hall will offer students a modern education in a historic setting, building on the strong foundations established at Radnor House School.
"We promote a values-based education that prioritises kindness and compassion, using encouragement rather than pressure to help students succeed. Our priority now is to deliver the project as efficiently as possible so we are ready to welcome pupils to our new home at Kneller Hall in September 2027."
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