River Dart Academy (Dartington)

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Academy Type: Alternative Provision (AP) Academy

Principal & Main Contact: Tessa Claridge

Senior Administrator: Katie Parrott

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Jessica Bell -

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Suzy Eagles
,

SENCO: Jessica Bell -

Careers Leader: Tessa Claridge -

Address: Shinners Bridge Dartington TQ9 6JD, Devon, England. UK

Phone: 01803 865580

Email:

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 天美传媒 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.

Careers information:

River Dart Provider Access Policy

Careers Advice - 天美传媒 MAT

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.

Helen Casson

Deputy CEO

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 天美传媒 MAT Board for number of years before joining the 天美传媒 team. Outside of school Helen and her family enjoy exploring Cornwall in their rusty VW camper and bright orange beetle!

Jessica Bell

Vice Principal and 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.

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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.

River Dart Academy (Dartington)