Cavendish School, Cavendish School

• Location: Impington, Cambridgeshire County, England,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Cavendish School — a specialized school focused on educating children with autism aged 7 to 16. It became the first institution of its kind in the world to offer a sought-after international diploma program, and the first in the region to provide free education for students with special needs.

The main goal of Cavendish School is considered to be creating a safe, personalized and comfortable environment for students who need extra attention. Qualified teachers with many years of experience work here, constantly expanding their knowledge in the field of teaching special children. At Cavendish School, each student receives individual attention, which makes the acquisition of academic knowledge, extracurricular development of their strengths and talents effective and at a pace that is comfortable for the student.

The school continues to improve in accordance with international educational standards, working collaboratively with two institutions: Impington Village College and Impington International College. To date, Cavendish School is fully accredited to teach programs from primary to graduating classes, but currently offers curricula only for grades 3-11.

The learning process is fully personalized — teachers adapt the academic plan to the abilities, needs and goals of students. During classes they use special preparation methods:

• Personal learning and development lessons — are aimed at developing social and communication skills through structured sessions, role-playing games, and group discussions. Students learn strategies for effective communication, understanding social cues, and building positive relationships,
• Connected curriculum — is designed to integrate the development of social and communication skills into all subjects, providing students with constant opportunities to practice and apply these skills. The academic plan is tailored to student interests, increasing their engagement and motivation in learning sciences,
• Individual interventions — for students who require additional support, teachers offer special assistance, including small group sessions or individual lessons,
• Cambridgeshire therapeutic thinking approach — a set of strategies aimed at developing emotional and behavioral resilience,
• Visual schedules, assistive tools — clear aids help students understand the daily routine and requirements. This promotes independence and reduces anxiety,
• Positive, simplified language and praise,
• Advance warnings of changes, reducing anxiety.

Cavendish School does not provide accommodation during studies.

Hot and cold dishes, snacks and drinks are served daily in the dining room; the menu changes regularly, offering students dishes according to various recipes.

After their main classes, students of Cavendish School can attend various clubs and sections, for example:

• Football Club — students develop their physical skills and knowledge of football under the guidance of professional Cambridge United coaches,
• Art Club — a creative space where children can explore various artistic techniques and materials,
• Construction Club — students participate in construction projects, developing practical skills and creativity,
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award — a challenging program that includes volunteering, physical activity, skill development, and expedition,
• Programming Club — students learn coding and programming, deepening their understanding of technology,
• Math Circles — a space where students can explore complex mathematical concepts and improve problem-solving skills.

• The world's first specialized school accredited to teach the International Baccalaureate program,
• Teachers have higher qualifications and many years of experience working with children with autism,
• A rich, balanced and personalized curriculum with a wide range of subjects and electives,
• Small classes of up to 10 students, taught by one teacher and two or three assistants in each class,
• Support for social and communication development,
• A wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs.

Cavendish School is located in Impington and shares a campus with Impington Village College and Impington International College. Modern facilities have been created on the campus for educating neurodivergent children:

• Modified environment. Classes are adapted to minimize distractions and enhance concentration: this helps create a space where students can focus and feel comfortable.
• Regulation zones: focused on helping students control emotions and behavior through sensory experiences.
• Violin and sensory objects: students are provided with items to help them focus on self-regulation, and these can be found in almost all learning spaces.
• Social stories, comics, and scripts: used to explain situations and expectations in an accessible way, providing students with visual and practical guidance.
• Well-equipped outdoor spaces for outdoor activities.

In addition to classrooms and recreation areas, the school offers offices for therapists of various specialties: occupational therapist, speech therapist, psychotherapist, art therapist, and others. All specialists participate in student education, carefully supporting them in overcoming difficulties.

The academic year at Cavendish School runs from September to early June, with classes held on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 2:45 PM. Students have breaks on weekends, national and international holidays, and during seasonal vacations.

Training is also available free of charge, however you will need to purchase personal study materials and a school uniform (mostly free places — for citizens of the UK).

Cavendish School provides a quality education based on the individual abilities and needs of each student. Through curricula, extracurricular activities, and support from specialized staff, students achieve excellent results, gain self-confidence and develop strong self-regulation skills, after which they can move on to college or university.

The main requirements for applicants will be the availability of a specialized learning plan confirmed by medical and academic staff, and an established diagnosis of "autism". To apply, you must provide the child's personal documents.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision