Cliffdale Primary School

Meet Our Staff Team

• 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

• Nicola Payne
  Principal
  Nicola Payne

  A little bit about your background and experience:

  I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as Principal at Cliffdale Primary Academy. It has been a real privilege to work as an Assistant Headteacher at Cliffdale for the past 4 years, with such incredible children, families and staff. I am committed to providing an outstanding and personalised education to every child, whilst ensuring all our children feel safe and happy. I am passionate that every child has amazing opportunities and experiences, helping them to develop their skills and broaden their horizons.

  I have been a primary teacher for over 20 years and have specialised in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for more than half of that time. Before I came to Cliffdale, I was a mainstream Deputy Headteacher and SENCO, in charge of SEND in two large schools. I am also a Specialist Leader of Education and have provided outreach support to many schools in Hampshire and Portsmouth

  Hobbies and interests:

  As a mum of two children with SEND, I don't have a lot of time for hobbies! I do love to walk by the beach and cycle around Southsea. I also really enjoy being able to relax in my garden with a good book. I know it can be very isolating and challenging parenting children with complex needs, so I am dedicated to supporting our families and providing a caring community. I am very grateful to work and learn in such a fun and supportive school.

  What excites you about your role:

  Every year brings new challenges and fun. I love getting to know all the children at the school, working out what they enjoy, the best way to communicate with them and make them laugh! I am so grateful to work with such an expert and caring staff who work so hard for the children. It is a joy to continue learning with them and help them develop their knowledge and skills. I am very lucky to have an opportunity to get to know so many wonderful families. I love the supportive atmosphere at Cliffdale's coffee mornings - it's definitely good therapy for me!

• Beth Arnold
  Vice Principal
  Beth Arnold

  A little about myself

  I have always worked with children and adults with disabilities. Before, I started my teaching career I worked on a farm which was a day care setting. It was a highly interesting job which taught me a range of skills-some more useful than others, as you can imagine! It was there that my passion for teaching began, as I opened a small classroom area, teaching art, crafts and functional Maths and English. I got a great deal of satisfaction in seeing people enjoying learning and benefitting from it.

  Since teaching, I have gradually progressed in my career path, working my way from a Teaching Assistant to currently Vice Principal. I am extremely proud of what I have achieved at every stage of my career.

  Hobbies & Interests

  I feel privileged to live by the sea, having moved from Kent/London boarders 11 years ago. I try and visit the beach as much as possible, mainly whilst walking my dog. I enjoy being creative, trying to put my art degree to good use, however most my mini craft projects remain unfinished! I'm at my happiest socialising with my friends and family, hopefully in a good restaurant or sharing a film.

  What excites me about my role

  Cliffdale is an amazing and exciting place to work, full of incredible people. I feel now as Vice Principal I am able to have, not only an impact on the pupils but on the whole of Cliffdale school and the Solent Academies Trust community. Ensuring the pupils have the best opportunities to reach their full potential, whilst supporting families along this journey. I am passionate about supporting the staff and finding ways together to help the pupils 'shine'

• Tim Lett
  Assistant Principal
  Tim Lett

  A little about myself

  Before becoming a teacher seven years ago I spent 28 years in the Royal Navy, working in a variety of roles including ships and shore establishments and with the Army and the Commandos, all around the world including operational theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving the Navy I trained to become a primary school teacher and since then have taught in every Key Stage and in a variety of settings, including as a SENCO. When I am not enjoying teaching and leading in school, I am a Dad to two very active boys and a mad Springer Spaniel, and can sometimes be seen in a Police Uniform supporting the community in Portsmouth and surrounding areas.

  Hobbies & Interests

  Outside of school I love being active and enjoy mountaineering, running ultra-marathons (very slowly!) and generally playing sports, my two boys and I love to spend time in and around the sea, surfing, and paddle boarding. When I am not outdoors, I enjoy reading and am a bit of history buff (according to my children because I have lived through most of it!). I am very focussed on developing myself as a teacher and a leader and I am studying for my MA(Ed) qualification with Winchester University.

  What excites me about my role

  The most exciting thing about my role is the children, they unknowingly make every day worthwhile and they are guaranteed to brighten every day with their zest for life. Everyday I come into school I am excited about the chances to make a difference to the school and trust community.

• Maria Thorne
  Assistant Principal
  Maria Thorne

  A little about myself

  I started my career working in mainstream education, initially in Bristol and then in my home city of Portsmouth, where I specialised in Early Years Education. After becoming a Specialist Leader of Education, which enabled me to support teachers and children across Portsmouth, I began to develop my passion for working with children with complex needs. In 2017 I jumped at the opportunity to join the team at Cliffdale, initially as Head of Learning for Upper School then as Head of Learning for Early Years before being appointed Assistant Principal. I am fully committed to supporting children and their families to overcome challenges and achieve their aspirations - whatever they may be!

  Hobbies and interests

  I live in Portsmouth with my partner, three children and very naughty dog Frank who needs lots of long walks! As a family we love board games and hold regular (very competitive) family games nights which are fun and extremely noisy. I also enjoy keeping fit and have recently caught the CrossFit bug. I regularly attend classes at a local gym where I am learning to lift weights and increase my stamina.

  What excites me about my role

  Working at Cliffdale is a privilege - the children and families are amazing to work with and constantly bring a smile to my face. I will never fail to be inspired by their determination to succeed and achieve their goals. I am very excited to further develop these relationships and strengthen home school links as Assistant Principal.

  I really enjoy supporting colleagues across the school and helping them design creative and inspiring resources to help children to make progress against their individual targets. It is wonderful to come to work each day and be surrounded by the most creative, fun and caring staff who are fully committed to our children and making each day filled with fun and endless possibilities.

  I arrive at work each day with a huge smile on my face. No day is ever the same at Cliffdale and I wouldn't have it any other way!

• Hayley Amor
  Assistant Principal
  Hayley Amor

  A little about myself

  I have now been working in special needs education for nearly 10 years! I have been working in special education for all of my teaching career. I initially started my journey as a teaching assistant at Cliffdale and progressed into a teaching role. I am now Head of Learning for Lower School. I am passionate about ensuring every pupil is thought about and treated as an individual and that they are provided with every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

  Hobbies & Interests

  At the moment most of my time is spent running around after my one year old daughter! My daughter was born during the Covid19 pandemic so my husband and I love nothing more than spending time with friends and family, having long days out and just being busy. We have definitely made up for lost time. If I am not chasing my daughter around and clearing up the chaos she seems to leave behind her, I love nothing more than walking along Southsea beach with my dog Miles.

  What excites me about my role

  I feel very privileged to be a part of the Cliffdale community. Each member of staff go above and beyond for all the pupils at Cliffdale, and this is something that happens all day every day. The staff always give 100% if not more in everything that they do to ensure every child is able to shine. I enjoy creating new and innovative ways to provide the pupils with the most relevant and engaging learning opportunities. I am always amazed by the pupil's resilience and their positive attitudes towards believing anything is possible.

• Charlotte Bevis
  Academy Admin Lead
  Charlotte Bevis

  A little about myself

  I started my working life as a Legal Executive and then spent 21 years working in the banking industry in a number of different roles. I was ready for a new challenge and came to work at Cliffdale Primary Academy as Admin Manager in 2019 and haven't looked back!

  I work with a great admin team and we all work together to make sure the high Cliffdale standards are maintained and that we put the needs of the children at the heart of everything we do.

  Hobbies & Interests

  In my spare time I enjoy quizzes, reading and watching my daughter play football.

  What excites me most about my role

  Seeing how the children who come to the school progress and blossom during their time with us and seeing them celebrate all their achievements

• Roxanne Daish
  Family Support Worker
  Roxanne Daish

• Jamie Scutt
  Site Manager
  Jamie Scutt

 Please click here to see the Solent Academies Trust Team