Get in Touch
- Academy Type: Alternative Provision (AP) Academy
- Principal & Main Contact: Matthew Caunter
- Senior Administrator: TBC
- Careers Leader: Sophie Holmes sholmes@waveedu.org
- Designated Safeguarding Lead: Jade Abraham - jabraham@waveedu.org
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Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Matthew Caunter - mcaunter@waveedu.org
Sarah Guest - sguest@waveedu.org - Address: Shinners Bridge Dartington TQ9 6JD, Devon, England. UK
- Phone: 01803 865580
- Email: riverdart@waveedu.org
- Opening Times: Mon - Thurs: 08:50 - 14:30 Fri: 08:50 - 13:00
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.
Stacey Lilley
SENCO
I graduated in 2007 from the University of Plymouth with a BA (Hons) Design (Fashion and Textiles) followed by a PGCE in Secondary Education. I have worked as a secondary school Design and Technology Teacher for 13 years, teaching across all Key Stages including Sixth Form. During this time, I held the role of Head of Department, Assistant SENDCo and Head of an Autism provision.
I am passionate about education and I have high and realistic expectations of every pupil, understanding the pupils’ needs to enable them to reach their full potential. I believe the primary role is to ensure all pupils develop positive self-esteem and have a rewarding and enjoyable experience as part of the school community.
When I’m not working, I love to spend time with my family and friends, cooking, walking my dogs and being by the beach.
Jade Abraham
Pastoral Support ManagerManager
Information coming soon!
Our Curriculum at River Dart
Key Stage 3
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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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... -
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Educational Hubs Update
Read MoreCoronavirus (COVID-19) - Educational Hubs Update
9th April 2020 Earlier this week we contacted all our parents and carers to determine the demand for opening educational hubs for vulnerable children and children of key workers. Although demand stil...
