Get in Touch
- Academy Type: Alternative Provision (AP) Academy
- Principal & Main Contact: Tessa Claridge
- Senior Administrator: Katie Parrott
- Careers Leader: Suzy Eagles- seagles@waveedu.org,
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Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Harry Welch-hwelch@waveedu.org
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Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Suzy Eagles
seagles@waveedu.org, and Jessica Bell - jbell@waveedu.org
- Address: Shinners Bridge Dartington TQ9 6JD, Devon, England. UK
- Phone: 01803 865580
- Email: riverdart@waveedu.org
- Opening Times: Mon-Thu 0845-1430, Fri 0845-1300, 27.25 hours per week
About
River Dart Academy is commissioned by Devon Local Authority to provide day six provision for those pupils permanently excluded from mainstream provision. From Autumn Term 2023/24 referrals into the Academy also included support for pupils on and returning from EOTAS (Educated Other Than at School) packages.
Our aim is to work closely with partners to provide support to the most vulnerable pupils and secure reintegration. We engage in extensive collaboration with a wide range of external agencies, including statutory bodies, voluntary organisations, and alternative provisions, to ensure that our pupils can readily access the essential support, guidance, and intervention they require.
Our primary goal is to cultivate an environment where everyone can flourish, fostering responsible citizenship and a lifelong love for learning.
We recognise that some pupils benefit from personalised approaches to address their educational needs. Consequently, for those requiring a more bespoke educational experience, we provide opportunities and facilitate packages through alternative provisions. These provisions undergo stringent quality assurance processes, monitored by both Devon County Council and our internal quality assurance processes in accordance with KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) standards. Packages can be commissioned by either Devon County Council or Wave MAT and are overseen by River Dart Academy. These bespoke offers are available to support pupils on an individual basis.
Our commitment extends to adapting our curriculum to cater to the unique needs of our pupils. Through this personalised approach, we aim to nurture a wide range of skills, knowledge, attitudes, and understanding, empowering all our pupils to realise their full potential.
You can read more about our Curriculum Here.
Devon's Local Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Offer
Careers information:
River Dart Provider Access Policy
Staff
Tessa Claridge
Principal
Tessa has been in education for over 20 years. Starting her career in further education and holding various senior leadership roles, Head of Department in Surrey, Head of College in Cornwall and as Head of Education and Pastoral Operations in Oxfordshire.
Tessa has used her varied experiences to inspire learners from different backgrounds, ages, and abilities to achieve and engage in education. Tessa has a passion to ensure an excellent student experience. In her spare time, Tessa likes to spend time with her family and dogs.
Harry Welch
Assistant Head of School
Harry started his career at The Brunel Academy in 2015 as a HLTA. He has work as an Advocate from 2018 until 2020 where he joined the extended leadership team in the role of Lead for Engagement. In 2021 was appointed the Lead for Behaviour whereby he has operational and strategic oversight of behaviour, attitudes and attendance as well as being the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Harry is a Trauma and Mental Health Practitioner and a Dialectical Behavioural Therapist and is passionate about supporting young people to overcome trauma and adversity to become the best possible versions of themselves.
Before moving into a career in education Harry was an aspiring rugby player who was selected to represent England Rugby U19's.
In his spare time Harry enjoys following local sport including 'The Fisherman' Brixham RFC and Brixham AFC.
Helen Casson
Director of Education
After graduating from the University of East Anglia in PsychoSocial studies, Helen completed her PGCE at Sheffield Hallam University. She then taught in Sheffield for a few years before moving to an inner London school as Assistant Headteacher, leading on student and staff wellbeing. After a move to Cornwall in 2011, Helen became Deputy Headteacher at Looe Community Academy. Helen is a trained SENCo and a Thrive practitioner and is passionate about ensuring the needs of all young people are met. Helen sat on our Wave MAT Board for number of years before joining the Wave team. Outside of school Helen and her family enjoy exploring Cornwall in their rusty VW camper and bright orange beetle!
Jessica Bell
SENDCO
Jessie started her career as a Teaching Assistant supporting children and young people with profound, multiple and specific learning disabilities. She then trained as a teacher and has taught in both mainstream and special school settings, teaching all ages from 4-18.
Jessie's passion has always been within SEND, and from a young age her dream job was to be a SENDCo. She feels strongly that all children and young people should be able to access education and that learning should be differentiated to meet each child's individual needs.
Outside of school, Jessie enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking her dog on walks around Devon.
Suzy Eagles
Assistant Principal
Suzy has been teaching for over 20 years in numerous settings from Mainstream, Pupil Referral Units and a Private School in the UAE. Suzy has taught a number of subjects: PE at A level, GSCE and BTEC in addition to core PE, Science, Numeracy, Literacy and ASDAN.
Initially qualifying with a BE.d (Hons) in PE Suzy has since completed a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management. During her career Suzy has held positions in middle and senior leadership such as Head of Department, Director of Department, Head of Faculty, Head of Year and Assistant Principal in differing settings.
She has been strategic lead for Teaching and Learning and behaviour in a large all through school in addition to behaviour CPD lead in Mainstream and Alternative Provision. She has successfully led Pastoral teams, Teaching and Learning teams and whole school CPD responsibility resulting in whole school improvement in those areas.
Outside of school Suzy enjoyed several sports including Hockey competing at national League level and Judo also at national level. Latterly she now enjoys keeping fit and walking her dog.
Our Curriculum at River Dart
Welcome to our curriculum section. From here, you can find out all about our overall curriculum intent at Wave Trust and within the Academy itself.. For more information about our different subject areas, please click on the Subject Areas tab on the left hand side menu.
Please download our curriculum intent statement below.
River Dart Academy Curriculum Intent Statement
Documents
Subject Areas
Reading
Art & Creativity
English
Humanities
Science
Physical Education
PSHE
Mathematics
Personal Development & Enrichment
Latest News
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Wave Autumn Newsletter 2023
Here is our Wave Summer Newsletter. Find out what we have been getting up to across the Trust this Autumn Term. Wave Trust Autumn 2023 Newsletter...Read More -
Wave Summer Newsletter
Here is our Wave Summer Newsletter. Find out what we have been getting up to across the Trust this Summer Term. Wave Summer 23 Newsletter...Read More -
Wave Spring Newsletter
Here is our Wave Spring Term Newsletter. Find out what we have been getting up to across the Trust this Spring. Wave Newsletter Spring 23 ...Read More -
Guide for leaders in alternative provision (AP)
22nd May 2020 Attached is a guide for leaders in alternative provision (AP) which has been written by a number of us who lead trusts, provisions and networks across the country. We hoped it might be ...Read More -
Providing “life support“ during the COVID 19 pandemic - Wave Trust staff are thanked by pupils and families for helping them through the lockdown
7th May 2020 As parents, pupils and teachers across the country wait to hear when and how schools will officially re-open following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, Wave is continuing to do w...Read More
Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy
River Dart Academy recognises that the safety and welfare of children is paramount and that we have a responsibility to protect children in all of our academy activities. We take all reasonable steps to ensure, through appropriate procedures and training, that all children, irrespective of sex, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual identity or social status, are protected from abuse.
We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow procedures to ensure that children and young people receive effective support, protection and justice.
We listen to our pupils and take seriously whet they tell us, children are aware of the adults they can talk to if they have a concern. When there are concerns for a child's welfare, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies. We will ensure concerns are discussed with parents/.carers first unless we have reason to believe that by doing so would be contrary to the child's welfare.
Our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy underpins and guides our safeguarding procedures and protocols.
Link to further Safeguarding information