Who’s who in Derw Newydd

Kerrie Britten
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Kerrie Britten

Deputy Head

Mathew Sweeden
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Mathew Sweeden

Head of Centre (Assistant Headteacher for Ysgol y Deri)

Hayley Hewson
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Hayley Hewson

Head of Key Stage 3

Ben Harland
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Ben Harland

Head of Key Stage 4

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Key Stage 3 Teachers

  • Hayley Hewson – Head of Department
  • Dean Jones – Teacher and Science & Technology lead
  • Carys Summer – Teacher

  • Adrian Muscat – Teacher

Key Stage 4 Teachers

  • Ben Harland – Head of Department

  • Chris Evans – Teacher and Adventurous activities lead
  • Dan Miles – Teacher and School council lead
  • Rory Hennessey – Teacher and Design & Technology
  • Bianca Williams – Teacher and Health & Wellbeing lead

General Overview of Derw Newydd

Derw Newydd is a specialist educational provision dedicated to nurturing the social, emotional, and mental well-being of young people aged 11 to 16. At Derw Newydd, we are more than just a school; we are a community committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where each learner can thrive and embark on a journey towards their personal and academic goals.

Our approach is learner-centered, focusing on individual needs and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. We recognise that building warm, secure and trusting relationships with learners is fundamental to helping them make progress, and provide a consistent and trauma-informed environment to enable all our learners to grow.

At the heart of Derw Newydd is a commitment to learner-centered practice. We encourage our learners to take risks, express their preferences, and cultivate knowledge and skills that align with their interests. Our goal is to mould students into ambitious, capable learners, enterprising and creative contributors, ethical, informed citizens and healthy, confident individuals

We strive to ensure that all learners will reflect on their time at Derw Newydd as a positive, happy and worthwhile experience.

Communication with parents is central to the provision we offer our learners.  Staff teams have regular communication with parents via telephone or via SchoolComms text messaging, where you will receive regular updates and be able to message the staff team or members of the Derw Newydd Leadership Team.

We have a flexible curriculum that enables each learner to achieve their individual aspirations. At the heart of our curriculum is our Individual Pathway Plan that helps them plan for the future, set their own goals and shape their personal journey.

Through a thematic curriculum we offer a wide range of cross-curricular learning experiences across the 6 areas of learning in line with the New Curriculum:

  • Languages, Literacy and Communication
  • Mathematics and Numeracy
  • Humanities
  • Expressive Arts
  • Science and Technology
  • Health and Wellbeing

Our comprehensive curriculum offers a diverse range of academic and vocational options, ensuring that each learner can explore and develop their interests. From motor vehicles, construction, electrical & plumbing and carpentry, to cookery, hair and beauty, music and video, art & design, sport and fitness and adventurous activities – we provide a wide array of choices to cater to varied passions and talents.

The Derw Newydd curriculum is led by Trauma Informed Schools (TIS) Practitioners and is supported by input from a highly skilled Pastoral Support Team (PST), a psychotherapist, opportunities for emotionally regulating activities and inter-agency partnerships to improve health and wellbeing.

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