Get in Touch
- Academy Type: Alternative Provision (AP) Academy
- Principal & Main Contact: Matthew Caunter
- Senior Administrator: Katie Parrott
- Careers Leader: *interim mcaunter@waveedu.org
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Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Harry Welch-hwelch@waveedu.org
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Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Matthew Caunter - mcaunter@waveedu.org
- Address: Shinners Bridge Dartington TQ9 6JD, Devon, England. UK
- Phone: 01803 865580
- Email: riverdart@waveedu.org
- Opening Times: Mon - Thurs: 09:00 - 14:30 Fri: 09:00 - 13:00, 26 hours per week
About
River Dart Academy is located in a picturesque area of Dartington. Our aim is to work closely with secondary schools to provide support to the most vulnerable pupils.
Our pupils come to us at various points throughout their schooling, usually as a result of their school placement having broken down. Our purpose is to support pupils to create an environment where everyone can grow and develop, as they become responsible citizens and lifelong learners. Our role is to help pupils get back on track, either through a return to regular schooling or by completing Year 11 at River Dart Academy.
We work closely with a diverse range of outside agencies both statutory and voluntary so that our pupils can access the support and guidance they need. We are committed to tailoring our curriculum to meet the needs of our pupils, developing a range of skills knowledge, attitudes and understanding so all our pupils can aspire to their full potential.
Devon's Local Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Offer:
Careers information:
Staff
Matthew Caunter
Principal
Matt trained as a teacher of Physical Education. He taught at the Brunel Academy in Torbay for 9 years, The Brunel Academy is a day special school for children aged 4-16 with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Matt went on to become Deputy Headteacher at the Academy before taking on the role as Headteacher for the last 5 years.
Before training to teach Matt worked in the leisure industry and as Sports Centre Manager before realising his passion for teaching.
Matt has played many team sports in his time including Football, Cricket, Gaelic Football and Rugby League. His main interest is Rugby Union where he follows his former club Brixham RFC along with the odd Exeter Chiefs game.
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.
SENDCO
Interim SENDCO whilst the academy recruits for this role. Helen Casson.
Our Curriculum at River Dart
Key Stage 3
We run a 'rolling programme' where pupils are taught in mixed year group classes at Key Stage 3 due to small class numbers, and who may remain with Alternative Provision for longer than a Year. (Though we remain short stay). Our spiral design ensures each pupils receives teaching of the knowledge, understanding and skills within this planning they need from their various starting points. It is flexible and dynamic enough to be able to respond to need in this way- in Maths and Science, for example,-but draws from the National Curriculum. For example, see our Curriculum blog about Science at KS3. See
https://www.wavemat.org/pupils-parents/the-curriculum-blog.
Curriculum Map coming soon
Key Stage 4
Here are the qualifications we teach at River Dart, as well as our enriched and PSHE/RSE programme of study and Careers guidance. For more details, please contact us.
- AQA GCSE English Language
- AQA GCSE English Literature
- AQA GCSE Art & Design
- AQA GCSE Mathematics
- AQA GCSE Biology
- Pearson BTEC Introductory: teamwork and personal skills
- Pearson BTEC Introductory: Sport
- Pearson BTEC introductory: Construction
In addition to the accredited awards on offer, we encourage students to explore and develop their skills and talents in wider areas. River Dart students are offered enrichment sessions at a local recording studio, Sound Communities. During sessions, students have opportunities to undertake AQA unit awards in music production, lyric writing, pod casting or DJ-ing. Through work with The Jamming Station, students have also been able to produce music and perform where sessions have focused on developing vocal strength and expression.
Through bespoke outdoor activities, students have opportunities to develop their leadership, teamwork and communication skills by participating in outdoor physical activities such as zip-lining and archery at Dynamic Adventures and with tacking and horse-riding sessions at Oaklands Riding Stables.
In addition to academic qualifications, we also offer a vocational qualification in construction. Students undertaking this course travel to our sister school, Stansfield Academy in Exeter, to work in a purpose-built workshop. Here, students can experience a number of construction trades such as brickwork, carpentry and plumbing.
In March 2022, River Dart was awarded a licence to provide the D of E programme. We have undertaken to provide students with the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards to develop important skills in team building, resilience and confidence. We are looking forward to supporting our students to achieve this award and to develop valuable transferable skills for their future life and work.
Documents
Latest News
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Wave pupils celebrate results and progress!
Read MoreWave pupils celebrate results and progress!
Across the Trust we are very proud of the progress of our pupils. Through a difficult couple of years for pupils in schools nationally due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, our pupils have per... -
Guide for leaders in alternative provision (AP)
Read MoreGuide 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 ... -
Coronavirus (Covid-19) - Academy Opening Update
Read MoreCoronavirus (Covid-19) - Academy Opening Update
18th May 2020 Last week the Government announced that the next phase of school reopening will begin from June 1st 2020 provided that it’s key tests are met. This marks a first tentative staging poi... -
Providing “life support“ during the COVID 19 pandemic - Wave Trust staff are thanked by pupils and families for helping them through the lockdown
Read MoreProviding “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... -
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Academy Opening Information
Read MoreCoronavirus (COVID-19) - Academy Opening Information
20th April 2020 You may have seen some news reports suggesting that the Government had set a date for re-opening schools in England. This is not true. The Government has not yet made a decision on wh...
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.
