Meet the Committee Members
Teaching and Learning Committee
Lorraine Davey
I am passionate about raising standards in Education and promoting the rights of all children to develop a love and zest for learning. I am thrilled to be part of The Redstart Learning Partnership as my association with Redstart, and Suzanne Flack in particular, goes back many years, to when I was working for Somerset County Council.
During my time at the County Council I carried out a number of different roles over a period of fifteen years, mainly supporting the development and growth of new early years settings. I was also responsible for the quality of education in early years settings and offering support and advice on how they could improve.
I am a qualified and experienced primary/middle school teacher and prior to working for Somerset County Council, I managed an independent Nursery, worked as an independent registered nursery inspector and spent many years as an early years support officer and advisor, which has helped me support other educational provision.
Recent achievements include taking on failing nurseries as an independent consultant, offering advice on improvements and offering practical support and improvement plans to improve their practice. I have also delivered training and support to nursery providers on a private consultancy basis.
My husband and I were respite foster carers and youth workers for a number of years and we also have two sons. We enjoy DIY, walking, and caring for a mad sprocker dog!
I also enjoy a wide range of crafting activities and reading and I am excited to be part of a growing Academy Trust.
Sapphire Lynch
I joined the Teaching and Learning Committee in 2019 and was proud to be elected Chair in 2021. I am passionate about education and ensuring a school environment where all children can thrive regardless of their background or ability. I am especially interested in literacy and encouraging children to read for pleasure. I moved to Chard in 2005 after completing a degree in Japanese and work as a translator for a local company. I am keen to use my experience supporting my Japanese colleagues to ensure our EAL children and their families feel part of our school community. In my spare time I love to read, bake and spend time with my two children.
Rebecca Collins
I became Head of School at The Redstart Primary School on March 23rd 2020, a date to remember as it was the start of the first lockdown, though I had been Interim Head from January 2020. It was an odd feeling as I started my first day with just 25 children in school and almost 400 learning remotely. Prior to that I was Assistant Head at Redstart from 2017 when I made the move from London to Somerset with my family.
My husband Roy and I have two children together: Luke who is 10 and Freddie who is 7. Our weekends and spare time together mostly consist of driving them to sports fixtures and training though we also love to travel and explore new places. I have a passion for learning and have passed that onto my children so a perfect weekend for us (once rugby or cricket are done) is to travel around Somerset and neighbouring counties checking out castles, iron-age hill forts and beaches looking for adventure.
Andrew Storey
I have been a teacher at Redstart Primary School for 6 years teaching in Year 1 and Reception. Prior to working at Redstart I worked at a residential centre in North Yorkshire teaching children about the beautiful natural landscape of North Yorkshire. I also spent a year out in Rwanda teaching children in a primary school. I am passionate about the outdoors and I have loved teaching Forest School to Year 1, 2 and Reception. Throughout my time at Redstart I have always put stories at the heart of my practice and this was our starting point when we redeveloped the Reception Curriculum.
Rosie and I have just had a little boy and we are loving the tiring adventure of raising a child. We have always loved being in the outdoors, either just out in the garden or doing walks up in Snowdonia and it is lovely sharing these experiences with our son.
Debbie Petty
When Redstart Primary School announced they were looking for members to join the Teaching and Learning Committee I jumped at the chance to get involved. I have 2 daughters aged 12 and 8 who both attend/ed Redstart Primary so I have gotten to know many of the staff quite well over the years. I was eager to be a part of such a strong team who are dedicated and determined to ensure that our school is the best place it can be, not only for the children, but for the staff too.
As well as my busy ‘mum’ role, I also have a job in social housing and have worked in this arena for over 15 years. As such, I recognise the important of professionalism, unbiased thinking and of policy and legislation, as well as the challenges that dealing with people of all ages involves.
Louise Allen
Lynsey Arscott
I have worked at The Redstart Primary School as a lunchtime supervisor for almost 5 years. My daughter also attends the school.
I have been a member of the teaching and learning committee since 2021. I wanted to join because I am very passionate about my daughter's education and the learning process.
