The Cavendish School appoints international educator as new Assistant Headteacher

The Cavendish School, Cambridgeshire’s first state maintained special free school provision for young people with autism, has appointed Kate Barham as its new Assistant Headteacher: Curriculum, Assessment and Learning. Kate will join the school team this month, helping them to continue to deliver the International Baccalaureate (IB) to students with autism.

Kate brings vast and varied experience to role, with 33 years of working in education. From teaching at nurseries and primary schools across Cambridgeshire to the Middle East and leading inclusion at the Trumpington Federation, Kate’s diverse path as an educator embodies the global outlook central to the IB and the school.

Discussing her recent appointment, Kate said: “I am delighted to be joining The Cavendish School and helping the team continue to achieve their mission of enabling the self, helping autistic students to thrive as happy, healthy individuals. As Assistant Headteacher, focussed on Curriculum, Assessment and Learning, I look forward to continuing to champion and further develop our specialised IB curriculum. I believe that the IB framework enables our students to become globally aware, make connections between their learning in different subjects, and develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed outside of the classroom. The school has nurtured a team of experts in autism education and I am excited to be joining them.”

Following Kate’s appointment, Jake Allcock, Assistant Headteacher, will focus on Behaviour, Inclusion and Provision to support student learning at the school.

Former Deputy Headteacher, and newly promoted to Head of School, Stephanie Smith, said: “The appointment of Kate, and the evolution of Jake’s role, will enable us to further build on our successful first academic year at the school. Kate’s vast experience in teaching and facilitating inclusion, partnered with Jake’s strong background in special educational needs, further strengthens our position as the leading provision for young people with autism in the region. As we welcome our next cohort of students through our doors this month, I look forward to our team continuing to help our students, and the local autistic community, to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.”

To find out more about The Cavendish School, please visit: https://thecavendishschool.org.uk/