Staff, students, parents and former school governors held the view that the school's underperformance was due to long-term neglect by Westminster council. During the process of Pimlico's change to an academy, the council argued that the borough's community education needs could be sufficiently served by preserving the existing community school status of Quintin Kynaston School. However, since then QK switched to a community foundation school, meaning that there were no longer any community schools in Westminster akin to the traditional inner-city comprehensive.
Staff, students, parents, and former school governors held the opinion that the school's poor performance was caused by Westminster council's long-term neglect. During Pimlico's transition to an academy, the council contended that the borough's educational needs could be adequately met by maintaining Quintin Kynaston School's existing community status. However, since then QK became a community foundation school, leaving no traditional inner-city comprehensive schools in Westminster.