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

   

• Luci Johnson
  Principal
  Luci Johnson

  A little about myself

  I have been teaching for 16 years. I started my career as a PE teacher before joining a Pupil Referral Unit as an Assistant Head Teacher. It was here that I gained a passion for working with young people with additional needs so undertook the National Award for SEN at the University of Chichester and became a SENCO at a large mainstream secondary school. I then moved on to Redwood after relocating from East Sussex to join the team as Assistant Head with responsibility for Learning and Progress for Pupils and Key Stage Four before becoming Principal in 2020.  

  Hobbies and interests

  I am a keen gardener and enjoy spending time at my allotment, where I put to good use tips and tricks, I have learnt from the pupils here at Redwood. I have 2 dogs and enjoy long walks and going away in my camper van surfing

  What excites me about my role within the School/Academy?

  I am very excited that I have been given the opportunity to be Principal at Redwood. I have worked at the school for over 4 years now and firmly believe that the provision for our pupils and families is outstanding. The staff team work very hard to provide pupils with the opportunities to become resilient, mature, and independent young people who are confident to move onto further education, employment, or training when they leave us.

  Being part of the larger Academy Trust also provides me and the school with support to be able to continually grow and develop our practice to positively impact on everyone we work with. Within the trust there is a huge wealth of experience and expertise around SEN and the joint approach to working together is that this expertise is shared across the 4 schools and across the City. The joint CPD day is just one example of how beneficial this collaborative practice can be, seeing staff from across all the schools working together strengthens the Trust's vision and values and is therefore at the heart of all the work we do.

• Dave Turner
  Vice Principal
  Dave Turner

  A little about myself

  My journey at Team Redwood, over the past 6 years, has brought me to my new, exciting position of Vice Principal.  

  I relish the daily challenge, to supporting leading our  dynamic, inclusive and innovative team in providing  the most challenging, supportive and real- life curriculum  offer for our young people and families.

  Hobbies & Interests:  

  Basketball, golf and anything active!  

  I organise, lead and play for a local men's basketball team. I am currently training with the GB Masters Over 35 team and I am hopeful to secure a place at the World Championships in Summer 2022.

  I love golf and I'm a keen student and follower of the sport. I play to a 3 handicap and I enjoy the challenges of the game and being outdoors!  

  My young family and I love enjoying days out, exploring fun places and trying to travel as much as possible and enjoy time away in our caravan!

  What excites me about my role:

  It's all about the pupils: creating exciting, personalised, real-life opportunities to help further develop their resilience and independence, to prepare them and their families for their exciting future!  Anything is possible and the potential opportunities are endless.

  Go, Team Redwood!  

• Chris Day
  Assistant Principal
  Chris Day

  A little about myself

  I have been in the education system for almost 20 years, and in Special Ed for 15 of them. I originally trained as   PE teacher at Chichester University and while there fell in love with Outdoor Education. I have taught in a number of SEND schools working across the age and ability range of pupils in Hampshire, Portsmouth and West Sussex.

  Hobbies and Interests

  In my leisure time I can be found either looking after my two young children or away doing something of an adventurous nature. This could be climbing a mountain, paddling a kayak down a white water river, sailing or cycling my road or mountain bike somewhere fun.

  What excites me about my role

  The thing that excites me most about my role at Redwood is seeing on a daily basis pupils achieve something new.

• Kim Radlett
  Assistant Principal
  Kim Radlett

  A little about myself

  I joined Redwood Park Academy in September 2017 as Head of Learning for Key Stage 3 and then became an acting Assistant Head teacher. Previously, I worked at Cliffdale Primary Academy for five years as Head of Learning for Key Stage 2 so I know a lot of our pupils! I trained as a primary school teacher and have worked in many Portsmouth mainstream schools as a maths specialist. I have lived in Portsmouth since 1998 and love being by the sea. I love music and art and spend a lot of my time trying to play the piano, viola and ukulele (badly!). I love to cook and watch films, especially ones that make me think. I am trying to get healthy by doing 52 hikes in 52 weeks - so far I'm ahead of schedule!

  What excites me about my role

  My role is quite varied here but my main duties are to develop the curriculum and to provide coaching and support to Teachers to ensure that the pupils receive the best education possible. I am a Specialist Leader of Education for Maths and SEN with the Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance and provide Outreach service to mainstream schools. The most exciting part of my role is always the pupils - I particularly love turning those that â ‚¬Å“hate mathsâ ‚¬  into confident, excited Mathematicians! They make my job fun and teach me something new every day!

• Katie Waite
  Lead for Key Stage 4 Curriculum Innovation and Quality Assurance
  Katie Waite

  This is my 5^th  year working at Redwood after joining as Head of Learning for KS4 and progressing to Assistant Head teacher responsibilities. 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 2-year-old twins 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.  

• Jessica Twyman
  Head of Learning for KS3 & Curriculum Innovation
  Jessica Twyman

  A Little about myself

  I have been a Special Needs teacher for 8 years and previously worked at a Special Needs school in South London working with a wide cohort of pupils with varying needs. It was here that I developed my passion for teaching in a Special Needs school, ensuring that there is a personalised approach to teaching and learning. This is my second year of working at Redwood Park Academy and I now have the role of Lead for Key Stage 3. I am incredibly passionate about supporting our pupils to be successful in all areas of their learning and love teaching in fun and creative ways.  

  Hobbies & Interests

  Since moving to Portsmouth from London, I now love being by the beach enjoying going paddle boarding and sea swimming. I enjoy being out and about as much as possible, going hiking, cycling, and running. When I get the opportunity, I love to travel to new places, experience different cultures and meet new people.  

  What excites me about my role

  I relish the opportunity of working with a fantastic group of staff and young people at Redwood Park Academy. I enjoy the holistic approach to teaching at Redwood Park and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of teaching our young people to succeed and be all that they can be.  

   

• Lindsey Catlin
  Lead for Key Stage 3
  Lindsey Catlin

  A little about myself

  I love being a teacher and I'm a parent to a teenager

  Hobbies & Interests

  I adore the South Coast and living by the sea and enjoy lots of active hobbies including kayaking, paddle boarding, trail running and swimming, and I'm also a bit of a history enthusiast.

  What excites me about my role

  I'm excited to work with KS3 on their journey at Redwood Park and I'm looking forward to lots of fun and learning together.

• 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.

• Lynn Hastie
  Lead for Communication
  Lynn Hastie

  A little about myself

  I joined Redwood in 2004 and feel privileged to have been part of the school's continual journey to react and adapt to the needs of its students, providing a relevant and personalised education. I trained as a secondary English teacher and took on the lead role in the subject when I joined the school. I am also a qualified dyslexia teacher. When Redwood became part of the Solent Academy Trust, my role developed to also consider pupils' communication needs across the curriculum and I enjoy providing support to help our young people develop this vital life skill.

  Outside of school, I'm a busy mum of three young children. I love to travel and our family spends our summer break exploring the world! When I have time, I love to relax with a good book or to play video games.

  What excites me about my role within the Academy?  

  The pupils! They inspire and motivate me, and make me laugh every single day. Life at Redwood is never dull!

  I am enjoying the new challenge of my Communication role, especially developing ways to support pupils to develop their ability to interact confidently and effectively both with their peers and with adults.

• Amanda Winter
  Admin Manager
  Amanda Winter

  A little about myself

  I joined Redwood Park Academy in November 2015 as SIMS Manager.   I previously worked as Admin/Finance officer at a small village primary school.

  I am now Admin Manager and manage a fantastic team.  We work together to ensure that the high standards of the Trust are maintained in our school to effectively meet the needs of all the students and staff.

  I oversee day to day running of the Admin team and am also PA to the Head of School - providing professional liaison with parents and outside agencies alike.

  I have a season ticket for Portsmouth Football Club and enjoy going to the games.   I am also secretary to Horndean Football Club so that keeps me busy at the weekend!

  What excites you about your role within the Academy?

  Everything! No two days are the same. I particularly enjoy watching our students grow in confidence from Y7 to when they leave in Year 11.   We all have a part to play in their education and every one of us make a difference!!

• Jewlee Harris
  Senior Site Manager
  Jewlee Harris

  I joined Redwood Park Academy in January 2021 as Senior Site Manager.   I have over 15 years' experience working in a secondary school environment, 9 of which are as a Facilities Manager. My passion is, and has always been, for people and caring for their welfare; I am most definitely at my best when I can get things done through collaboration and teamwork.

  Having started my facilities career as a part time helpdesk assistant, I have learnt a tremendous amount about how hard work, determination and applying yourself really makes a difference.

 Please click here to see the Solent Academies Trust Team