The Cavendish becomes the first IB World School for autistic students

Cambridgeshire’s first state-maintained special autism school has achieved official authorisation to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP).

The decision makes The Cavendish School the world’s first state-maintained special autism school to offer the programme.

The IB is a globally recognised education system, for pupils aged three to 19, that develops subject knowledge and skills such as critical thinking, communication and international mindedness.

In addition to completing the rigorous candidacy and assessment process required to achieve authorisation, The Cavendish School in Impington is one of three schools that collaborated with the IB to ensure that IB programmes are tailored to the needs of autistic pupils. It is the first of the three schools to be authorised to deliver the PYP.

The IB learner profile, a list of 10 values that learners are encouraged to strive for, was adapted by the school to be contextualised for its pupils. Learning environments were adjusted to meet the needs of pupils, including the distribution of smaller library spaces to reduce sensory challenges.

The timeframes for individual units of inquiry, an in-depth exploration of a concept within the PYP, were extended to allow for processing or sensory issues.

The co-educational school teaches its pupils in Year 3 to Year 8 using the PYP framework. Its Year 9 pupils undertake a ‘Preparing for Adulthood’ year before studying for a suite of qualifications including GCSEs in Year 10.

Head of school Stephanie Smith said: “The IB curriculum helps us to provide an inclusive and rigorous academic education for our pupils.

“Its holistic approach to learning enables us to achieve our mission of creating an environment that ensures our pupils thrive as independent, emotionally and socially confident young adults.”

Visit thecavendishschool.org.uk to learn more.