King's Group Academies: A Brief History
King's Group Academies (KGA) is a dynamic multi-academy trust (MAT), built upon a rich, five-decade tradition of British educational excellence established internationally by its sponsor, the King's Group.
Rooted in Global Education (1969 onwards)
The heritage of the King's Group began in 1969 when Sir Roger Fry founded King's College, Madrid. This quickly grew into a renowned international network providing the English National Curriculum, with schools operating across Europe and the Americas. This global foundation provides KGA with a unique wealth of expertise and an international perspective on teaching and learning.
The Establishment of KGA in the UK (2014-2016)
In 2014, the King's Group was officially approved as an Academy sponsor by the Department for Education (DfE) and established King's Group Academies as a charitable MAT in England. The vision was to bring its passion for quality education and its unique international dimension to pupils and communities in the UK. KGA's commitment to the UK state sector began with its first academies joining the family:
- March 2016: The first academy to join was Lyndhurst Junior School, which is now King's Academy College Park Junior in Portsmouth.
- December 2016: King's Academy Ringmer, a secondary school in East Sussex, joined the trust.
Expansion and Development of the Academy Family (2018-Present)
The Trust has since expanded purposefully across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Sussex, growing its family of primary, secondary, all-through, and special schools. Key milestones in this expansion include:
Expansion and Development of the Academy Family (2018-Present)
The Trust has since expanded purposefully across Berkshire, Hampshire, and Sussex, growing its family of primary, secondary, all-through, and special schools. Key milestones in this expansion include:
| Year Joined | Schools / Cluster | Location |
Type
|
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2016 | King's Academy College Park (Junior) | Portsmouth, Hampshire | Primary |
| December 2016 | King's Academy Ringmer | Ringmer, East Sussex | Secondary |
| February 2018 | King's Academy Northern Parade (Infant & Junior) and King's Academy College Park (Infant) | Portsmouth, Hampshire | Primary |
| September 2018 | King's Academy Binfield | Bracknell, Berkshire | All-Through Free School |
| September 2019 | King's Academy Oakwood | Bracknell, Berkshire | Primary Free School |
| October 2020 | King's Academy Prospect | Reading, Berkshire | Secondary |
| November 2022 | King's Academy Easthampstead Park | Bracknell, Berkshire | Secondary |
| May 2024 | King's Academy Bay House, King's Academy Brune Park, King's Academy Gomer, King's Academy Lord Wilson, and King's Academy Rowner | Gosport/Southampton, Hampshire | Multiple Phases (Joining via merger with GFM) |
| November 2024 | King's Academy Meadow Vale | Bracknell, Berkshire | Primary |
This growth trajectory reflects KGA's core mission: to provide high-quality education and equip every pupil with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to achieve 'Opportunity and Success on a Global Stage' by leveraging a strong local presence supported by a powerful international network.