The Skills Hub is an alternative provision free school in West Drayton, Hillingdon, for children and young people aged 5 to 19.
- Ages 5–19
- 48 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2025)
School details
- Type
- Alternative provision free school
- Ages
- 5 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 48 (places for 120)
- Headteacher
- Craig Van-de-Velde
- Part of
- Orchard Hill College Academy Trust
- Opened
- 1 January 2023
- Free school meals
- 44.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Hillingdon
- School reference (URN)
- 149033
How to get a place
3 steps
- Talk to your child’s school or the council
Places in alternative provision are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Hillingdon council, rather than applied for directly.
- If your child has an EHC plan
The placement should be agreed through the plan, with you involved in the decision.
- Get free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can explain your options and come to meetings with you.
Questions to ask when you visit
8 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them on the day.
Ofsted
Special measures. Report card, December 2025: Urgent improvement in 5 of 6 areas
Ofsted has placed this school in special measures.
Inspected in December 2025 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionUrgent improvement
- Curriculum and teachingUrgent improvement
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourUrgent improvement
- Personal development and wellbeingUrgent improvement
- Leadership and governanceUrgent improvement
- SafeguardingNot met
Contact and getting there
Falling Lane, Yiewsley, West Drayton, UB7 8AB
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, how to get a place and the questions to ask, in your inbox.
Other SEND schools nearby
- The PRIDE Academy Special school · Ages 11–19 0.0 miles
- Moorcroft School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.6 miles
- Meadow High School Special school · Ages 11–19 0.6 miles
All SEND schools in Hillingdon
By need in Hillingdon: Autism (14) · Speech and language (5) · Hearing (4) · Physical (4) · Moderate learning (3) · Severe learning (3) · PMLD (2) · Vision (2)
Questions about The Skills Hub
How do I get a place at The Skills Hub?
Places at The Skills Hub are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Hillingdon council rather than applied for directly. If your child has an EHC plan, the placement should be agreed through it.
What ages does The Skills Hub take?
Aged 5 to 19, boys and girls.
What is The Skills Hub’s Ofsted rating?
Rated Good by Ofsted in December 2025 at its last graded inspection. Newer inspections no longer give a single overall grade, so read the latest report for the full picture.
Where is The Skills Hub?
Falling Lane, Yiewsley, West Drayton, UB7 8AB, in Hillingdon.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.