Staff

• Sharon Burt
  Chief Executive Officer
  Sharon Burt

  Professional experience:

  I wholeheartedly understand the importance of every child feeling safe and happy to come to school. At Solent Academies Trust we proudly place pupils and their families at the heart of all decision making, and our senior leaders facilitate high performing teams to be innovative, courageous, forward thinking, and ambitious for our community, and beyond.

  I am passionate about driving high standards in education to achieve the very best outcomes for young people, and I have greatly enjoyed every minute of my 25 years teaching and leading in a broad range of specialist and mainstream settings.

  Our executive team and I are unwavering in our expectations for high quality leadership and governance, strong partnerships, effective change management, innovative project developments, and coherent business functions which enable our trust to grow and thrive with capacity and integrity.

  Together we promote entrepreneurial challenge and innovation to impact widely on our self-improving school led system, improve equality of opportunity and increase social mobility for all our community. Current projects include establishing a city wide Inclusive Employability Hub, expansion of specialist provision including holistic therapies and services, and extending opportunities for training and employment for young people with complex needs and disabilities.

  I have been a Specialist Leader in Education since 2012 (Leadership and Management, SEND and Safeguarding), and place a high importance on using enquiry led learning as the flywheel to accelerating improvement in the classroom.

  My experience spans a broad range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities including Autism, speech, language and communication difficulties, complex learning/ medical needs and social, emotional and mental health needs. Specialist expertise also includes sensory integration approaches, attachment awareness and use of PACE.

  Qualifications:

  • Senior Leader Master's Degree MBA, dual accredited with the Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership Diploma
  • National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership Programme undertaken 2018 - 2020
  • PGCE specialism in English
  • BSc (Hons) Social Policy & Criminal Justice

• Louise Quaid
  Executive Principal
  Louise Quaid

  I grew up in Portsmouth and after graduating from university I went off to work as an outdoor activities instructor in beautiful Dorset. I found that working with young people was a really rewarding experience and I decided that a career in teaching was my vocation. Subsequently I qualified as a science teacher and my journey has taken me from a mainstream classroom in an inner city boy's school, to leadership roles in schools for pupils with SEND. I gain the greatest job satisfaction when I know that my work contributes to ensuring that children are reaching their full potential.

  I love the outdoors, walking, cycling, kayaking or swimming and sometimes running. Reading is my escape and I have far too many books.

  I am passionate in my belief that all children and young people should have the very best opportunities through education. As Executive Principal I am privileged to work with committed staff that are dedicated to ensuring that the pupils are happy and successful, that they learn through exciting and creative activities.

• Maria Thorne
  Head of School
  Maria Thorne

• Carol Gardiner
  Assistant Principal
  Carol Gardiner

• Sarah Jones
  Assistant Principal
  Sarah Jones

• Katie Waite
  Assistant Principal
  Katie Waite

  This is my 7^th year working at Redwood after joining as Head of Learning for KS4 and progressing to Assistant Principal. I previously worked in mainstream education as Head of Physical Education. I am pastorally responsible for the pupils within Key Stage 4 and I also lead on staff development and training. I love my job at Redwood Park Academy and find it so satisfying when you see the pupils make so much progress both academically and, in their communication, and social skills.

  Hobbies and interests

  I am married with 3 children who keep me very busy when I am not at work. I am originally a PE teacher and so love nothing more than being outdoors and with the beach on our doorstep we love searching for sea gems, paddle boarding or playing in the sea.

  What excites me about my role within the Academy

  I love working at Redwood, the love and excitement our pupils have for their learning is refreshing and they are always willing to challenge themselves and break down barriers to have the best chances post 16. I work with a team of staff who are so committed to the futures of our young people that are constantly striving to develop the opportunities available to our young people. The best bit of my job is working with the pupils, they inspire me to want more and do more, they teach me new things daily and they motivate me to be better every day.

• Harriet Leadbeater
  Lead for Personalised Learning
  Harriet Leadbeater

  A little about myself

  I'm the Head of Learning for Personalisation and Inclusion at Redwood Park Academy.
  I have had the great pleasure and privilege of supporting young people with special needs for over 10 years in a range of settings, including home education, residential care and schools. These experiences have instilled in me a passion for ensuring the best outcomes for our every one of our young people. I began my teaching journey in 2015 having completed a Master's Degree in Psychology, where I developed research that highlighted the importance of practical, skill-based learning for students with special needs. I am incredibly passionate about supporting our students to achieve their goals and aspirations.

  During school holidays, I enjoy wakeboarding, climbing and the occasional attempt at mountain biking! If I'm stuck indoors I enjoy drawing and painting - a lot of my lessons involve paint!

  What excites me about my role within the Academy

  Being a teacher at Redwood Park Academy is fantastic because we have high aspirations for our students and we are fully committed to the journey that each of our pupils take. I enjoy being part of a school that values our students as individuals and is dedicated to providing the very best in all aspects of education.

• Tabi English
  Head of Learning - KS3
  Tabi English

• Susan Harrigan
  Head of Learning - KS4
  Susan Harrigan

• Laura Meredith
  Head of Learning - Extended Schools
  Laura Meredith

  A little about myself

  I have worked at Redwood as a fully qualified teacher in 2011. Previously to this I worked here as an unqualified teacher for two years.

  I was born in Portsmouth, but was bought up in Warrington. I moved back in my twenties.

  I had many other jobs before I realised, I was suited to Teaching. I have been a direct marketing manager, a buyer, a waitress, a Customer Service manager and have worked in lots of restaurants and bars!

  I love food and think it is one of the most important life skills we can pass on to others. I have taught Food Tech here and in other mainstream schools. I also trained to teach textiles which is something else I am interest in.

  Hobbies and Interests

  I love spending time with my family and we enjoy exploring the local area.

  I am also a musician in my spare time and play in a brass band. It keeps me busy with different concerts and marching engagements.

  What excites me about my role

  As Head of Learning for Extended schools I enjoy researching and finding things that will benefit our pupils, from breakfast club funding to after school clubs I am always on the look out for more opportunities that help improve the lives of all of our pupils and families.
  

• Tara Watkins
  Family Support Worker
  Tara Watkins

• Lucia Vitiello
  Admin Lead
  Lucia Vitiello

  A bit about me

  I grew up in hospitality with my parents owning restaurants and a hotel, which ended up with me moving to West Palm Beach, Florida until I was 15. I always expected I'd to go into the family business, but it wasn't for me!

  I have worked in administration for small to medium sized companies, in a variety of sectors from a waistcoat manufacture to super yacht refurbishment, even owning my own business selling jewellery and presenting on QVC.

  In 2018 I wanted a role that would be rewarding and I was employed at Cliffdale organising their Annual Reviews. I have since worked at Littlegreen and I am now based at Redwood as their Admin Manager. We have a great Admin Team at Redwood, who are the first people you meet when coming to the school. They ensure the pupils, families and staff's needs are met efficiently and empathetically.

  Hobbies & Interests

  I enjoy attending concerts and shows, dabbling in arts and crafts and travelling with my two children and friends, whether it be a weekend break or pitching my tent in a field.

  What excites me about my role

  Watching the children come to school and develop in confidence and independence whilst with us.

 Please click here to see the Solent Academies Trust Team