Head Teacher - Leith Hill School

Cavendish Education is a family of independent day and boarding schools and colleges for students between the ages of five and 21.

As a group, we are transforming the common perception of specialist education and throughout our schools, we challenge what it means to be neurodiverse by supporting our students to excel in ways they never thought possible.​

We believe we are unparalleled in our approach, which sits between mainstream and traditional special school education. Our curriculum supports and nurtures students with a diagnosis of high functioning autism and associated communication and language needs, as well as those with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia.

At the heart of Cavendish Education is a commitment to enabling all our students to thrive – when they are with us and after they leave us.  All the activities on our curriculum aim to instill four core attributes;  we believe these are key contributors to student wellbeing and success.

• Confidence,
• Competence,
• Creativity,
• Character.

Seeing potential in every student​

The ability to think differently is celebrated and encouraged at our schools and colleges. Seeing extraordinary ability in every single one of our students, we unlock and nurture their potential.

The holistic and differentiated academic curriculums in our schools and colleges are designed to ignite the imaginations of students with unique learning profiles and nurture their innate talents and abilities. A range of enrichment activities, such as sport, technology, the arts, outdoor education, and life skills, further enables our students to grow.

​In the ethos of Cavendish Education, each of our schools and colleges has developed its own character, facilities, and strengths. Together, our schools and staff are committed to allowing every student to shine while they are with us and to achieve success in education or employment when they leave us.

CavendishWORKS is our most ambitious project yet and it has a single, world-changing aim: to secure long-term, meaningful employment for all our students when they leave us.

Traditionally, many schools and employers consider a student’s academic attainment as the primary indicator of their future success. For this reason, young people with unique learning profiles often face barriers in adulthood, including difficulties in securing employment.

​The percentage of neurodiverse adults in meaningful jobs is woefully low at a time when some employers are struggling to recruit. This seems, in part, due to a lack of confidence shown by employers. By providing awareness, and dispelling myths around neurodiversity, CavendishWORKS is challenging the status quo.

We are very proud of all our students and their many achievements. They show that with the right support, those who think differently can make vital contributions to our world while leading happy and successful lives.

Our history

Our founder, Aatif Hassan, was inspired by his own life experiences to establish Cavendish Education.

Having been through the education system with dyslexia, he understands the need to give those who are neurologically diverse the tools to create successful and meaningful lives. Aatif himself went on to achieve a successful career, both in business and as an officer in the Army before founding Cavendish Education in 2013.

Cavendish Education is driven by Aatif ‘s dedication to nurturing those young people who think differently, enabling them to lead happy and productive lives. It is his desire to change the perception of what it means to be neurologically diverse through the achievements of Cavendish Education’s students and the quality of its curriculums.

"Our pupils go on to do some amazing things in all walks of life. They show discipline, concentration and commitment..." Aatif Hassan, Founder

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Cavendish Education is committed to safeguarding and child protection and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service. We aim to be a fair employer and are committed to equal opportunities. We do not discriminate against employees on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, disability or age.