School History Timeline

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School History Timeline

Cavendish School journey from the start to the present.

2026
16th Jan 2026

Rail Safe Friendly Silver Award

We are proud to have upgraded our rail Safety Award from Bronze to Silver. The Rail Safe Friendly Programme works alongside Network Rail, and other leading rail companies across the UK to keep young people safe. To learn more about our work, please visit www.railsafefriendly.com
2024
30th Sep 2024

Travel Training Awards

Since 2016 we have been working alongside TfL Travel for Life in training our students to use Public Transport safely and courteously. We are delighted to announce that this year we have reached Gold Level, the highest award of the programme.
2023
3rd Mar 2023

National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships

Several of our students were part of the 2800 young people who entered this year's championships at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
2021
24th Nov 2021

London Youth Rowing

We have linked up with London Youth Rowing to train our students the art of rowing. LYR have provided two rowing machines for practice and sessions will be held at Greenland Dock, Surrey Quays and University of London Boat Club in Chiswick.
2021
31st Aug 2021

Hackney Wick Girls FC Sponsorship

We are delighted to be sponsors of the Hackney Wick Girls Under 16's and Under 14's Football Teams. We are continually developing this partnership and hope that some of our female students will go on to represent Hackney Wick at some level.
2018
9th Nov 2018

Dallaglio Rugby Works

The school teamed up with this fantastic organisation which is an intensive, long-term skills development programme based on rugby.
2018
6th Jul 2018

Race for Life 2018

Another great year hosting this event to raise funds for Cancer Research.
2018
24th May 2018

Silver Medals at LYG

The football team representing Southwark in the 2018 London Youth Games was again made up entirely of Cavendish boys. After getting all the way to the final the team conceded a goal in the last minute of play to lose 1-0 to Camden.
2018
3rd May 2018

OUTSTANDING - Ofsted

The school was inspected by Ofsted in May 2018 and was rated OUTSTANDING in all categories.
2017
13th Jul 2017

Football Team Awarded Southwark Team of the Year

Following their victory in the London Youth Games our footballers were honoured by the borough.
2017
4th Jul 2017

Official opening of Lucy's Garden

The refurbished garden was dedicated to our late Therapy Dog, Lucy. The garden was opened by Guest of Honour, PD Rammer, from the Metropolitan Police Dog Section.
2017
30th Jun 2017

Race for Life 2017

Our annual event to raise funds for Cancer Research
2017
23rd May 2017

London Youth Games Cup Winners

Ten of our students represented the Borough of Southwark in the Football Tournament of the London Youth Games. All London Boroughs took part in the tournament and Southwark, made up entirely of Cavendish students, won the trophy beating Croydon in a Penalty Shootout.
2017
28th Feb 2017

3 Day Event

IS IT WORTH IT? We held a series of talks and workshops over three days from outside agencies including London Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Police, Arriva, David Idowu Foundation and Millwall Community Trust.
2017
13th Feb 2017

Garden Refurbishment

Our garden underwent a complete makeover with new decking and fencing throughout and new dining tables and bench seating.
2017
30th Jan 2017

Lexi Qualifies as a Therapy Dog

Lexi was assessed via the charity Pets as Therapy. As well as working at the school she will also make visits to care homes and other Special Needs schools.
2016
12th Oct 2016

Travel Training Award

Our staff were recognised for their efforts in teaching our young people how to travel independently and safely on public transport.

The award is supported by TfL and Southwark Council.
2016
8th Jul 2016

Race for Life 2016

This annual event allows our students to raise money for Cancer Research
2016
24th May 2016

London Youth Para Games

Several of our students represented Southwark at the games and kept up the tradition of collecting a medal by taking third place.
2016
29th Mar 2016

Met Police Visits

Throughout the year we visited a number of Metropolitan Police sections including Marine, Dogs and Mounted police.
2016
6th Jan 2016

Visit from Zoolab

Staff from Zoolab UK visited the school along with a selection of their animals including a giant snail, corn snakes, spiders, hamsters and an iguana. Students learnt about these animals and got to hold the ones they wanted to.
2015
3rd Dec 2015

Theatre groups visit Cavendish

We had visits from two local theatre groups who performed for our students. Actors from the Bubble Theatre hosted a workshop entitled "We Need to Act On" which involved all Years 9, 10 & 11 students. Little Fish Theatre performed their production of "Viralize"
2015
30th Oct 2015

Goodbye to Lucy

We sadly lost our very first Therapy Dog, Lucy. Lucy was almost seventeen and had worked at the school since the opening in June 2000.
2015
3rd Sep 2015

New Therapy Dog

Lexi joined the staff team at the start of the new term aged just 12 weeks.
2015
3rd Jul 2015

Race For Life & Skipping Challenge

A joint fundraising day was held to collect monies for Cancer Research and British Heart Foundation. Following a 5km run/walk round Southwark Park, staff and students undertook a skipping challenge.
2015
16th Jun 2015

Black Poppies Exhibition

We were the first school to host the Black Poppies Exhibition, which was presented as two workshops.
2015
4th Jun 2015

Cleaner Greener Safer Award

In June 2015 we smartened up the outside front of our building with the help of a Cleaner Greener Safer Grant from London Borough of Southwark. Our friends at Urban Growth Learning Gardens helped us with the project and students got involved by building the planters and engaging in much of the physical work.
2015
1st Jun 2015

Film Project

This year's production focused on cyber-bullying and was titled "Mock 123"
2014
11th Dec 2014

Sponsored Dog Walk with Dogs Unite

On Thursday 11th December Cavendish School organised a Sponsored Dog Walk in Southwark Park. Students, staff and members of the local community took part in the fundraising event to raise money for Guide Dogs.
2014
13th Nov 2014

Outreach Gardening Work on Local Estates

A programme of outreach work has been designed by Time and Talents and Urban Growth which sees local estates receive a makeover to their open spaces.
2014
2nd Oct 2014

Gardening Project - Introduction to Horticulture AQA Award Scheme

Several students will be involved in the ongoing project run by Time and Talents and Urban Growth Learning Gardens. They will undertake practical and written assessments to achieve AQA Awards. On 4th December 2014, after just three months of the course, two of our students, Shelby and Michael successfully completed the first level of the AQA Awards and passed their final exam in Introduction to Horticulture. We hope that may more of our students will follow in their footsteps.
2014
11th Jul 2014

Race for Life 2014

For the second year running Cavendish School hosted a "Race at Your Place" event to raise funds for Cancer Research
2014
24th Apr 2014

Film Project with CTVT

Students spent three months writing, filming and editing the production entitled "No Victory"
2014
5th Feb 2014

Joint gardening project with Time & Talents and New Leaf

2013
6th Dec 2013

Ofsted Inspection

We were delighted with the Inspectors report.
2013
11th Sep 2013

Beginning of Partnership with LeSoCo to allow year 11 students to access college courses

2013
5th Jul 2013

Race for Life event in aid of Cancer Research

2012
18th Dec 2012

Students attend Big Lunch event in Peckham with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall

Students were thrilled to meet Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Big Lunch event. Cavendish School were invited as a "thank you" for their charitable works within the community.
2012
10th Sep 2012

Students visit Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium

2012
17th Jul 2012

Olympic Torch relay race with Rt Hon Simon Hughes

Local MP Simon Hughes joined staff and students of Cavendish School for their summer sports day in Southwark Park, where he took part in a relay race in which the Olympic Torch was used as the baton.
2012
6th Jul 2012

Managing Director Cheryl Stepton runs with the Olympic Torch in Colchester

2012
2nd May 2012

Bike Project begins in conjunction with Metropoiltan Police

Students at Cavendish are given old bicycles to repair and maintain which they can then use for their PE sessions.
2012
5th Mar 2012

Students get sneak preview of Olympic Torch

Students get sneak preview of Olympic Torch and get to see the one used at the 1948 London Olympics
2012
6th Feb 2012

Three day event

Three day event titled "You Have A Choice" hosted by Cavendish School in conjunction with Youth United. Presentations from Metropolitan Police including Murder Investigation Team, Officer Safety Training, TSG and Drugs Squad. Other workshops were held by Victim Support, Community TV Trust, London Bubble. Speakers included Barry Mizen and Grace Idowu, both who lost children to youth violence.
2011
11th Sep 2011

Lloyds Bank staff give our school garden a makeover

2011
10th Sep 2011

Agreement with Goldsmiths College to provide SEN workshops and seminars annually

2011
1st Jun 2011

Agreement with Harley Street School for Girls for us to provide presentations and workshops on an ad hoc basis

2010
9th Nov 2010

Ofsted Inspection

We were extremely pleased with the inspector's report in which she stated "Cavendish School provides a good quality of education and meets its aims. Significant improvements made since the last inspection result in good teaching and assessment, enabling students to make good progress".
2009
1st Jul 2009

Simon Hughes visits the school

Simon Hughes visits the school to congratulate our year 11's in their successful completion of their education at Cavendish and to wish them well in their future endeavours.
2009
1st Jan 2009

Cavendish School and Goldsmiths College agreement

Cavendish School and Goldsmiths College agreement implemented for PGCE students to undertake work placements.
2008
3rd Sep 2008

Uniform Introduced

Following an overwhelming consensus of opinion, uniform was introduced to be worn by students at all times throughout the school day.
2008
27th Feb 2008

Ofsted Inspection

We where pleased with the Inspectors report in which he stated "The students recive good care and support because of the high level of concern and commitment of the head teacher and her staff".
2007
20th Jul 2007

Cavendish School sends first of many students to London Fire Brigades LIFEskills course

Each year several students are selected to attend this course.
2006
26th Mar 2006

Exchanged and completed contracts on Lady Gomm House

2006
9th Jan 2006

Offer accepted by Southwark Property for purchase of Lady Gomm House

2005
1st Oct 2005

Lady Gomm House put up for sale by Southwark Council

2005
4th Jan 2005

New term begins at new location

2004
20th Dec 2004

Her Majesty's Inspectorate visit to Lady Gomm House

Her Majesty's Inspectorate visit to Lady Gomm House and approval given to building for school use. One-year lease signed with Southwark Council for Lady House.
2004
21st May 2004

Search for new site begins

2004
19th May 2004

Portakabins arrive to create new classrooms and toilet block

School re-opens to students only two days after the fire.
2004
17th May 2004

Fire destroys all of the main school building

Fire destroys all of the main school building after raging for eleven hours. Only the Pavilion remains intact.
2003
10th Jun 2003

Visit from Her Majesty's Inspecorate

Visit from Her Majesty's Inspecorate resulting in Cavendish School being awarded Final Registration.
2002
9th Jan 2002

Pavilion block opens with four new classrooms and catering unit.

2001
3rd Sep 2001

Additional lease signed for derelict Pavilion building at Surrey Dock Stadium

Work begins to extend the school by converting the Pavilion.
2000
11th Sep 2000

Doors open to students for start of term at new Cavendish School

2000
1st Jun 2000

Lease signed for site at Surrey Dock Stadium

Work begins to clear debris, decorate and build classrooms.

About us

Welcome from our Head Teacher

Welcome from our Head Teacher

Our Purpose, Ethos & Values

Our Purpose, Ethos & Values

Independent Schools Standards

Independent Schools Standards

Staff Team

Staff Team

Walking Zones Map

Walking Zones Map

The Premises

The Premises

Lady Gomm House

Lady Gomm House

School History Timeline

School History Timeline