Following a record-breaking number of entries, The Cavendish School, Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained special autism school, has been shortlisted for Specialist Provision School of the Year at this year’s Tes Schools Awards, which celebrate the UK’s most inspiring teachers and schools from both the state and independent sectors. The shortlist was selected by a panel of expert judges, including experienced school leaders and education specialists.
This year marks the school’s fifth anniversary following its opening in September 2021. Being selected as a finalist for Specialist Provision School of the Year builds its continued success, during which it became the first autism special school in the UK to achieve authorisation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and celebrated its first cohort of GCSE students’ results, which were above the national average.
Stephanie Smith, Head of School at The Cavendish School and Executive Director of SEND for Eastern Learning Alliance, said: “The news that we had been shortlisted for Specialist Provision School of the Year is extra special this year as we celebrate our fifth anniversary of being open. Since the school opened, we have worked hard to create a safe, nurturing environment that balances the holistic and academic needs of our students and those beyond our classrooms. From collaborating with the IB on a project of inclusion to hosting our annual autism celebration event, creating more inclusive educational environments for autistic children is at the heart of what we do and I am so proud of what our young – but strong – community has achieved in just five years.”
Winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a gala ceremony on 19th June at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
Key learnings from the past five years can be found in the school’s first white paper, Five years of learning through alignment: reflections on curriculum, environment and relationships in autism education, to help other schools enhance autism education within their own settings. Download it here: https://thecavendishschool.org.uk/news/five-years-of-learning-through-alignment/
