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

• Faye Watton-Lawrence
  Executive Principal
  Faye Watton-Lawrence

  A little about myself

  I have been working in special education for the majority of my career, initially in London and now in my home city of Portsmouth. Having joined Solent Academies Trust in January 2018, I have had the privilege of working across Redwood Park Academy, Mary Rose Academy and Dove House Academy. More recently, I have also expanded my role trust wide as the Solent Academies Trust lead for Safeguarding & Child Protection; a particular area of professional interest for me. This has afforded me limitless opportunities to enhance and extend outstanding provision for young people with a very broad range of additional needs, from Moderate Learning Difficulties through to young people with the most Profound Medical and Learning needs. I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Autism in Education in 2015, with a focus on innovative strategies for supporting self-regulation in children with Autism. My focus is, and always will be, on supporting our pupils and their families to achieve the happiest, most independent and fulfilling futures possible. In line with this, I am passionate about ensuring that our children and their families receive an equitable offer. I am committed to working closely with a broad range of external partners from Social Care, Health and the wider community in pursuit of disability and SEND advocacy.

  Hobbies and interests

  I am married and live in Southsea with two young daughters. Having left London for a life by the seaside, I enjoy long walks and days out at the beach with my family. I am a keen baker and love sharing my cooking with family and friends - as well as the staff and children across Solent Academies Trust!

  What excites me about my role

  It is my absolute privilege to work alongside the pupils, families and staff across our Trust. What a joy to work in an environment where no day is ever the same and where having fun and making a meaningful contribution is central to everything that we do. The team at Solent Academies Trust is a superb example of how hard work, determination, creativity and nurture combine to make something very special. Together we ensure that every child is given the best opportunity to shine possible - no one could ask for more.

• Kate Buckingham
  Head of School
  Kate Buckingham

  Background Information

  Having joined Mary Rose Academy in January this year as Vice-Principal I am very excited to be starting this academic year as Head of School! I have thoroughly enjoyed my two terms at Mary Rose so far, and I am really looking forward to all the new adventures to come. I have spent my entire teaching career working in a special school setting, previously I was at a Special School in Southampton, where I worked for over 15 years having started as a Newly Qualified Teacher.

  It is an absolute privilege and joy to be a part of the journey our young people take and I thrive in celebrating each of those small steps of progress they make.

  Area of Interests

  My particular area of interest throughout my career has been Autism, gaining a Masters in Autism and being part of the first cohort of Advanced Practitioners for Attention Autism in the country. I am also passionate about research, particularly Action Research, and ensuring that we are always at the forefront of new and best practice and I am part of ACORNS, a research network based at the University of Southampton. I have delivered training Nationally and Locally and have had a research paper published in the European Journal of Special Needs Education.

  My big focus when working with any children and young people (and indeed adults!) is building relationships, through fun and creative shared experiences, so I am often seen covered in glitter, shaving foam or food colouring

• Mel Walton
  Vice-Principal
  Mel Walton

  A little about myself

  This is my 5^th year at Mary Rose Academy as an Assistant Head teacher. I am pastorally responsible for the pupils within the secondary school and also lead on staff development and training. I am a Specialist Leader of Education and enjoy supporting other schools and teachers, I also have Masters degree in Education.

  Hobbies and interests

  I am originally a PE and Geography teacher and so love nothing more than being outdoors on my mountain bike, surf board or snow board and spending time walking my two Labradors on the beach. Being healthy, fit and happy is very important to me and teaching PE to the pupils at Mary Rose is my perfect job!

  What excites me about my role

  I enjoy working with such open minded, passionate and enthusiastic young people, families and staff. Mary Rose's 'can do' and creative attitude is both refreshing and infectious. Mary Rose is truly an outstanding school that wants the absolute best for all of the pupils across Portsmouth. I am constantly blown away by the achievements of the pupils and am immensely proud to say that I work here.

• Sam Leadbeater
  Assistant Principal
  Sam Leadbeater

  A Little about myself

  I've joined Mary Rose Academy this academic year having spent the last 6 years at Redwood Park Academy. My role is Assistant Principal for Secondary, overseeing and looking after the young people in our school aged between 11 and 16 and their class teams. I am responsible for curriculum development and accreditation for the main Mary Rose Site.

  Hobbies & Interests

  I have a passion for music and in my spare team I enjoy putting on gigs, putting out music on my small record label and managing a handful of artists at the early stages of their careers. When its hot and sunny you'll find me on a paddleboard somewhere in the Solent or the nearby waterways!

  What excites me about my role

  I am really excited by the passion, energy and knowledge of the Secondary team I work with. They give 110% 5 days a week (sometimes more!) to provide the best possible learning opportunities for our young people and it is so inspirational. I enjoy looking at new and innovative ways to provide the most engaging and future-focused curriculum, introducing new technology and real-world contexts that develop independence and purposeful knowledge, skills and understanding within our young people.

• Kirsty Troughton
  Assistant Principal
  Kirsty Troughton

  A little about myself

  After leaving University I began my teaching career working in a mainstream setting as a Physical Education teacher. I moved across to Mary Rose Academy in 2009 and I have enjoyed various different roles during my time here including SSCO, Head of PE, Lead Team Teach Tutor and my most current role as Assistant Principal. I feel privileged to work at Mary Rose Academy the staff and pupils are incredible, and I am passionate about ensuring that all our young people achieve their full potential.

  Hobbies and interests

  I have a pet Whippet and enjoy being out on walks, especially by the sea! I enjoy running, swimming and being active. I also enjoy trying my hand at DIY and learning new skills and most recently re landscaped my back garden which was a great project!

  What excites me about my role

  Mary Rose Academy is an amazing place. The staff and pupils are inspirational and always give their absolute best which is what helps to create our 'Mary Rose Magic'. I feel proud to work with young people and staff that approach all learning opportunities and activities with determination, maximum effort and have the best fun at the same time which helps them to achieve so much.

• Dan Luckham
  Assistant Principal
  Dan Luckham

• Shelley Bonner
  Admin Lead
  Shelley Bonner

  Background Information

  I started work at Mary Rose Academy in 2009 as a Receptionist. Prior to this I worked in the accountancy admin sector for over 17 years and was looking for a new and exciting job role.

  What you enjoy about working at your school

  This is my first role in a school and since joining the Mary Rose team I haven't looked Back!!

  I have watched Mary Rose grow into an outstanding multi- academy Trust. The skills and knowledge I have learnt along this journey have earnt me the role of Admin Lead, working with a special team to meet the high expectations required to ensure the smooth running of the department to efficiently meet the needs of our staff and students.

  I also manage the fundraising for Mary Rose and am very proud to have raised large amounts of money and win successful grants so we can provide specialist equipment for our pupils to make their time at Mary Rose even better.

  What I like about my job

  No two days are the same!

  The staff go above and beyond every day! The pupils are the reason we come to work. Watching their achievements as they move through the school and knowing how we can really make a difference.

  Hobbies and Interests

  I enjoy my family time and supporting them to reach their goals and dreams.

• Nicky Atkins
  Senior Family Support & Community Engagement Practitioner
  Nicky Atkins

  A bit about myself:

  I have been working in Special Education for 28 years. Before moving to Portsmouth 16 years ago I worked at Mountjoy School in Dorset. I started my career by qualifying as a Nursery Nurse. I then went on to take the formal HLTA qualification the year it was first piloted.

  This is my 12^th year at Mary Rose Academy. I have mainly worked in Primary classes but have many years of experience across all age ranges and in all areas across Autism Spectrum Condition, severe physical disabilities and highly complex medical conditions.

  My Hobbies and Interests:

  I love to be outdoors. I played hockey for over 30 years and am hoping to return to the sport as soon as family life allows! But for now, my time is spent with my husband, son and daughter having fun on bikes, paddleboards, skates or any outdoor activity that will tire out two young and lively children.

  What excites me about my role:

  I love my job. I am extremely lucky to work with the most fantastic students and their families (the staff are pretty great too)! I have personally experienced some of the difficulties that our families can come up against time and time again and I am passionate about trying to do anything I can to help ease the strain that is faced on a day-to-day basis.

  I would really love to help families come together, as the SEN world can be a lonely one.

  I would like to help build a Family Support Community where parents and carers can feel comfortable to ask for help, raise concerns, get emotional support and most importantly meet other people that have the same experiences as them

• Shelley Bolton
  Senior Family Support & Community Engagement Practitioner
  Shelley Bolton

  A Little about myself

  I joined Mary Rose Academy as a TA in 2021, coming back to work after time out raising my children. With a professional background in patient/client Liaison, coordination and support, I moved to the role of Assistant Family Support Worker in 2023, with a focus on supporting families with children with Autism, Severe Learning Difficulties and dysregulation or distressed behaviour.

  Hobbies & Interests

  I have a passion for languages having studied French and German and spending a year abroad as part of my Batchelor's degree, and so love experiencing new cultures and trying the local lingo through holidays and travel. Day to day you'll find me running around after and organising the social lives of my two beautiful sons, whilst squeezing in time for catch ups with friends and winding down with a spot of baking.

  What excites me about my role?

  I am thrilled to be part of the SEND community and experience the joy and fulfilment that comes with working with our students. As part of the Family Support Team, I am a keen advocate for our pupils and their families, working to break down barriers that make receiving help so difficult, supporting families to bridge the gap between school and home to ensure a continuity of care.

• Justine Rothwelll
  The Bridge Lead
  Justine Rothwelll

 Please click here to see the Solent Academies Trust Team