London rapper Giggs is set to open a new secondary school and assessment centre for neurodivergent children in Gravesend, Kent, aiming to address gaps in support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The initiative, developed in partnership with the education charity the OMG Foundation, targets children requiring alternative provision and specialized assessments.
Giggs, 45, whose personal experience as a parent navigating the SEND system inspired the project, has four children, three of whom have autism. He recounted difficulties obtaining a diagnosis and support for his eldest son, Israel, and daughter Isla. His own diagnosis of autism, which he received belatedly, revealed further challenges in recognizing and assessing neurodivergence within existing frameworks.
“The system was failing him. We couldn’t get him diagnosed and he wasn’t getting the support and assessments he needed,” Giggs said of his son Israel during a visit to the school site. “I thought, well, I’ve got to do something.”
The upcoming facility, called St James House, will offer place-based education for up to 75 pupils, alongside a dedicated assessment centre staffed by educational psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech-and-language specialists. The assessment centre opened this month, with the school officially commencing operations in January.
The OMG Foundation, which already manages a school in east London, is working closely with Giggs on the project. CEO Jamal Miah said the decision to include an assessment centre was crucial, noting many families struggle to secure Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) necessary for specialized support.
“We saw a lot of disadvantaged kids around Gravesend and decided to do something for them,” Miah said. He highlighted that access to proper assessments is a foundational step to effectively supporting neurodivergent children.
The school’s executive head, Frances Akinde, emphasized the role of creative therapies such as art and music in supporting students with autism and ADHD.
Fundraising efforts for the £930,000 needed to launch St James House have attracted contributions from notable figures in the arts and entertainment sectors, including Damien Hirst, Stephen Fry, Ed Sheeran, and Robbie Williams. Giggs helped organize a recent charity auction to boost funds.
The rapper envisions the school as a place that not only provides education but also helps neurodivergent children realize their potential. He likened St James House to the fictional school run by Professor Xavier in the X-Men series, aimed at nurturing unique abilities.
“I want us to be Professor Xavier for the neurodivergent universe,” Giggs said. “We can help autistic children to realise that they are geniuses and show them how to use their superpowers.”
The launch of St James House comes amid broader concerns about the SEND system’s difficulties in England. The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has acknowledged the system is “broken” and pledged increased support for families navigating SEND provisions. Giggs’ public advocacy on the issue, including a high-profile appearance on Newsnight last year, highlighted the urgent need for reform and accessible support for children with special educational needs.