Author: Gemma Dexter, Assistant Headteacher, The Cavendish School
In July 2024, The Cavendish School achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming one of the world's first IB-authorized special schools by running the Primary Years Programme (PYP). This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusion and excellence, not just for our own pupils but for autistic learners globally. As part of this achievement, we want to share our expertise with schools worldwide, contributing to an international dialogue about how best to support neurodiverse learners in education.
This partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB) is about more than just academic success. It's about creating opportunities for autistic pupils to thrive socially, emotionally, and intellectually. The IB framework provides an inclusive, flexible curriculum that meets the needs of all learners while fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Why the IB is ideal for autistic learners
The IB framework is rooted in inquiry-based learning, transdisciplinary thinking, and holistic development—all of which align with the unique needs of autistic pupils. At The Cavendish School, we've adapted these principles to create a nurturing environment where pupils can succeed on their own terms.
- Inquiry-based learning:
Many autistic learners thrive when they can explore topics of personal interest. The IB encourages pupils to ask questions, research, and make meaningful connections, fostering a deeper engagement and understanding. - Developing transferable skills:
Autistic pupils often face challenges in applying knowledge across different subjects or contexts. The IB curriculum helps bridge this gap by using transdisciplinary themes that encourage pupils to connect concepts across multiple disciplines. This approach equips learners with essential life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. - A focus on the whole learner:
The IB’s Learner Profile emphasizes skills and values that develop independence, communication, empathy, and curiosity. These qualities are vital for autistic pupils as they develop social confidence, self-advocacy skills, and the ability to thrive in the wider world.
The Cavendish School’s unique approach
As Cambridgeshire's first state-maintained special free school for autistic pupils, The Cavendish School combines the IB framework with specialized support to create a truly inclusive and tailored educational experience.
Our curriculum is designed to balance academic success with social and emotional growth. For example:
- Therapeutic integration: Therapy, teaching, and interventions are embedded into the school day to support pupils holistically.
- Real-world connections: Pupils are encouraged to see how their learning applies to everyday life, whether through exploring identity in a novel or understanding scientific principles in practical settings.
- Preparing for adulthood: From Year 9 onward, we focus on helping pupils build skills for independence, meaningful employment, and active community participation.
Bridging learning gaps for autistic pupils
One of the key challenges for autistic learners is understanding the “hidden curriculum”—the social cues, implicit skills, and unspoken expectations that are often not explicitly taught in traditional schools.
The IB addresses this by making learning explicit and purposeful. Through interdisciplinary and inquiry-based teaching, autistic pupils are guided to connect concepts, develop critical thinking, and apply their knowledge to new environments. For example, pupils may explore themes like identity, diversity, or community through literature, science, and social studies, gaining academic knowledge and practical skills for life.
Expanding the global impact
Becoming one of the first IB-authorized special schools is only the beginning of our journey. The Cavendish School is collaborating with other institutions worldwide to adapt the IB framework for neurodiverse learners, ensuring that more schools can adopt this inclusive approach.
Locally, we engage our community through events like curriculum cafés and exhibitions, where parents and carers can see how the IB model supports their child's growth. Globally, we are contributing to developing new strategies that make education more accessible and meaningful for all learners.
Creating opportunities for lifelong success
Our goal is to prepare pupils for fulfilling, independent futures. By blending the IB’s world-class curriculum with our tailored approach to supporting autistic learners, we ensure that everyone leaves The Cavendish School ready to thrive as part of their community.
“With the IB framework, our pupils achieve academic success and develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity needed to embrace lifelong learning. Through this partnership, we are celebrating neurodiversity and redefining what education can achieve for autistic learners worldwide.” — Gemma Dexter
