Interim Principal's note

Welcome to Vanguard School, part of Liberty Trust. We are a specialist school for Autistic pupils aged from 11 to 19. We provide a learning experience that enables our students to achieve the best outcomes. At Vanguard School, pupils access a curriculum that includes three domains; personal, social and academic delivered through three pathways that match pupils cognitive ability. Everything we do at Liberty, is underpinned by the Quality-of-Life Framework. The QoL framework allows our schools to focus on areas that support our pupils to have a positive quality of life now and in the future.

Our Specialist staff team includes KeyWorkers, Teachers, Learning Mentors, Therapists and Leaders, that are all champions for young people with specialist needs. The team inspire and create a safe, friendly and supportive environment for young people to thrive.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the centre of our School and Trust. We are always seeking to provide the best opportunities for the students and families we serve. Our students and families are at the centre of everything we do, enabled through ‘unrelenting positive regard’, which leads us toward strong relationships and the trust to challenge and aspire alongside them.  Courage, Determination and Teamwork are our three core values.

The team are always here to help and guide as required, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions and queries.

Rachael Clements, Interim Principal

School facts

• Autism specialists
• Students aged 11-19 years
• 78 places, with a phased intake
• Brand new purpose-built school opened in January 2020
• Secondary school and sixth form shadowing the national curriculum
• One-to-one support offered
• Calm, nurturing environment
• Clear and open communication with parents and families

What makes us different?

At Vanguard, we have built a new kind of school. A school which focusses on young people’s futures and puts skills for life and employment at the heart of the curriculum.

A need for improved special education needs provision in the borough of Lambeth and neighbouring Greater London was identified and the call for a new specialist school to meet this need was spearheaded by local parents. Vanguard School helps reduce out-of-borough and independent placements, which reduces education costs for the Lambeth authority. This has the added benefit that children who attend the school are educated and build connections in their local community.

Designed by Pozzoni Architecture, the specialist autism school occupies an urban plot in Lambeth, close to modern residential developments and a variety of local amenities. As well as high-quality learning facilities, the two-storey, 2,500m2 building also contains 14 classrooms, a soft play area, a sensory room, a library and two therapy rooms.