Joel North - Deputy Principal

By its very definition, a Vanguard is a group of people that lead with new developments or ideas.

Over the last 18 years of teaching, I have worked hard to make my learning environment one that centres on mutual respect for learners of all ages. I place the students at the heart of my decision making both in and out of the classroom. 

I believe that school culture, particularly our school culture, is something that needs to be cared for and consciously nurtured to help develop it into an ethos of community, learning and resilience. I firmly believe, as proven by research at the Education Endowment Foundation, that a school culture grows through factors of celebrating achievements; carefully triangulating data where problems may be noted; and strategically choosing solutions that best suit the contextual factors of your institution. Our context is that we are a centre that specialises in the holistic education of young autistic adults. 

After my first five years of teaching, I studied a Masters in Children’s Literature and Creative Writing under Children’s Poet Laureate Michael Rosen. This level of critical thinking is something that I have applied to devising my English curriculum. 

English is more than a subject, it is our culture. When students are in my classroom, we do not ‘do’ English; we read; we learn; we recite; we explore; we debate. Most importantly, we create. 

The chief tenet of my classroom is the focus on representation, giving voices to those who are often marginalised. As an autistic practitioner, my lived experience offers me a unique insight into my learners and their learning journeys. 

I have worked and lived in Lambeth for the last 11 years. I frequently see students that I have taught that are now young adults. I feel humbled each and every time they say hello to me and tell me what the next steps have been on their journeys. 

As Deputy Principal at Vanguard, I want our students to feel empowered in a world that rarely puts neurodivergent people first. I want for our young people to be able to advocate for themselves and know what supportive and purposeful relationships feel and look like. We can only do that by working together as a triumvirate of parent, school and opportunities. At the heart of this triangle should be the child.

 Dan Bunker - Head of Behaviour & Pastoral Lead

Dan Bunker is an accomplished educator with over a decade of leadership experience in the field of special education, particularly specialising in Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education and Citizenship. His commitment to innovation in developing access to education has positively impacted marginalised students, allowing them to overcome barriers and engage fully in their learning experiences. Starting his teaching career in a specialist therapeutic school, which gave him the bedrock to build a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to working in education.

Before embarking on his career in education, Dan held senior leadership positions in the voluntary sector, where he worked closely with vulnerable populations, including homeless families, young carers, and LGBTQ+ young individuals. This background has endowed him with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by marginalised groups, which he brings to his educational practice.

Dan is deeply passionate about promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within educational settings. He believes that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. Through his leadership, he has focused on removing obstacles that hinder marginalised students from accessing quality education. His dedication extends beyond academic achievement; he inspires students to care about the world around them and recognise their role in it.

With a reputation for being an empathetic leader and an advocate for social justice, Dan Bunker's work continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many young people, empowering them to achieve their full potential and contribute positively to society.