Head named for Daventry's new special school

Daventry Hill School, the new co-educational all-through school for pupils with special educational needs, has announced the appointment of its Head of School Miss Charlotte Raw.

Miss Raw started her new role at the beginning of January and her first priorities will be spending time meeting parents, developing the curriculum and recruiting staff alongside the Education Excellence for All Trust which will run the school.

Miss Raw was previously principal of a large primary academy in north Lincolnshire.

Her career has involved varied roles working with young people with a wide range of SEND (special educational needs and disability). For several years she worked as assistant head teacher before being promoted to deputy head teacher in an outstanding north Lincolnshire special school.

Miss Raw is also an active member of the national National Association for Special Educational Needs (Nasen) specialist provision advisory group and a current practicing regional Makaton tutor. While her professional interests have focused primarily on the field of autism, she has also worked with young people who have a wide range of needs both in specialist and mainstream settings across the three to 19 age range.

Miss Raw said: “I am excited to join the Education Excellence for All Trust and to have been appointed as head of school for Daventry Hill School. I am looking forward to strategically developing this new and innovative special needs school.

“The vision for the school is to provide a learning environment that sees and values your child as a unique individual. We will create a school for pupils with mild to profound learning difficulties, including those with physical disabilities, where we educate the children and young people so that they are fully ready for the next stage of their adult life, and see no limits to what they might achieve.”

Daventry Hill School is inviting parents who have children with statements/education care plans to meet the trust at their open days on Wednesday February 3 from 9am to 5pm at the iCon Centre, and Friday March 4 from 9am to 5pm at Daventry Leisure Centre.

As head of school Miss Raw will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, while the school’s executive head Shez Webb will play a more strategic role.

Miss Raw added: “It is a crucial decision time for parents as regards to which school they send their child.

“At Daventry Hill School we are offering families an alternative choice if they are still undecided and looking for the best education and school environment to meet their child’s needs.

“Before they make their decision, this event will enable parents and prospective pupils to come and learn what Daventry Hill School will be like.”

The school’s building will be located on Ashby Road, on the lower part of the old pitch and putt range, next to the Eastern Way playing field.

The school is set to take its first pupils in September this year.