Profile

I’m an education leader with 20 years’ experience in primary education, with particular expertise in English, curriculum and pedagogy. I lead Primary English at Ark Curriculum Plus, where I work with over 100 Ark and non-Ark partner schools on curriculum design, pedagogy, professional development and school improvement. I’m particularly interested in the relationship between curriculum quality, teaching quality and implementation. My work focuses on designing ambitious, inclusive and evidence-informed curriculum and professional development that improves progress and attainment. I am passionate about closing the disadvantage gap and ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to succeed.

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I work extensively with teachers and schools across the UK. Currently this focuses on reading comprehension across the curriculum, creative approaches to grammar teaching and effective classroom talk. I have written extensively about pedagogy and practice in primary literacy teaching. My most recent publications are Teaching Primary English: Subject Knowledge and Classroom Practice (2nd ed.2024 Routledge) with Eve Bearne, Teaching Grammar Effectively in the Primary Classroom ( 2nd Edition, 2020 UKLA) and Talk For Teaching and Learning: the dialogic classroom (2021 UKLA) with Eve Bearne, Guiding Readers: A handbook for teaching reading comprehension to 7-11 year olds (2016 UCL IoE Press) with Wayne Tennent, Nikki Gamble and Angela Hobsbaum and contributions to Teaching English Creatively (2nd Edition, 2015, ed Teresa Cremin). Other publications include, Teaching Grammar Effectively in Key Stage 1 ( 2016 UKLA), with Eve Bearne and Rebecca Kennedy, Guiding Reading - A Handbook for Teaching Guided Reading in KS2 (Institute of Education, with Angela Hobsbaum and Nikki Gamble) and Developing Writing For Different Purposes-Teaching About Genre In The Early Years (Paul Chapman, with Jeni Riley).I am former General Secretary and Past President of the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) and was a Co-Director of the Cambridge Primary Review Trust (CPRT) from 2013 – 17. Until 2014 I was Principal Adviser for primary schools in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

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Nicola has worked in Lancashire since 1997 as a primary teacher, senior leader and consultant. She joined the English and Literacy Team in May 2004 after several years as a Leading Literacy Teacher and Leading Subject Leader.Nicola has worked extensively with the BBC and the British Film Institute (BFI) to develop literacy approaches via the use of film, and holds Lead Practitioner status with the BFI. In 2009, Nicola was awarded NPQH, and in 2010 became an accredited Local Consultant for Improvement in Stronger Management Systems and Support for Writing. In 2012, Nicola was quality assured by DfE for leading phonics in Lancashire with an outstanding accreditation. Since then, she has led the development and publication of the systematic, synthetic phonics programme Red Rose Letters and Sounds and the Red Rose Spelling Suite. During her time as a consultant, Nicola has contributed and led on the development of a wide range of publications to support schools, such as the widely used Key Learning in Reading and Writing, Learning and Progression Steps in Reading and Writing (LAPS), Key Learning Indicators of Performance in Reading and Writing (KLIPS) and Sentence Exemplification documents.Nicola is passionate about the use of spoken language to underpin the effective teaching and learning of reading and writing, and she has designed and implemented the popular Talk Programmes across Lancashire since 2018 alongside the consultant team. Nicola is currently the Lancashire Lead Moderator for KS2 Writing and trains moderator teams to ensure robust assessment processes support all schools effectively. She has a highly regarded reputation for working with an extensive range of schools across Lancashire, and beyond, via sustained packages of support in order to raise standards in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 in phonics, reading and writing. Her expertise for supporting schools to develop curriculum maps and pathways is second to none!Nicola is also Chair of the National Association of Advisers in English (NAAE) and a member of The Common English Forum, who meet regularly with the Department for Education. Nicola was appointed to the Senior Consultant role in October 2017.

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I deliver consultancy, advice and training for primary and secondary schools. Drawing on over 30 years' experience as teacher, leader, consultant and school governor, I have a warm, practical approach which develops colleagues in creative and grounded ways. As a specialist in reading, grammar, writing and oracy, I have worked in over a hundred schools to support teachers and students aged 4-18 years. I have also written numerous student and teacher textbooks, and I have experience of working with a range of organisations include the National Association for Able Children in Education, the UK Literacy Association and the DfE.

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I currently lead one of the 34 English Hubs, a priority investment literacy project and fulfil the role of Early Reading lead for a large primary-based trust. After headship, I made the transition into consultancy work so that I could follow my passion for supporting early literacy. In recent years, I have enhanced my expertise further and also work independently as a Literacy advisor. Further details can be found here:https://theliteracyadvisor.co.uk

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Having led Primary English across the UK, Spain and Dubai, and with a career in education spanning over 16 years, Laura is an experienced practitioner and subject specialist. Passionate about inspiring and supporting educators in cultivating reading and writing experiences which are inclusive and ambitious, Laura has presented at a number of conferences and works with a range of educational organisations. She is a member of the Opening Doors team, supporting schools in creating a quality English curriculum, rooted in providing inclusive learning experiences and promoting equity and excellence for all. She is a also a Just Imagine trainer and content contributor, providing bespoke training and consultancy opportunities for schools, academy trusts and wider organisations on all aspects of teaching English, literacy and dialogic pedagogy. Laura is a proud member of the English Association's Primary and Early Years Education Committee.

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Janet was a highly effective teacher in primary schools in Birmingham for 15 years. She had successful experience of subject leadership and middle management. She also worked for the local authority as an INSPIRE tutor, developing workshops to help parents to support their children’s learning.In 2007, Janet joined the Staffordshire Local Authority as a Primary English Advisor. She provided support and professional development to improve teaching and learning in English. In a wider role for the LA, Janet had extensive experience of leading whole school review and improvement as a School Improvement Professional. She worked with a range of schools including those in challenging circumstances or an Ofsted category; clusters of small schools and good/outstanding schools.Since 2017, Janet was the strategic lead for Primary Statutory Assessment, moderation manager for KS1 and lead moderator for KS1 and KS2.Now working as an independent consultant, Janet continues to support schools in English, Assessment and Whole School Improvement. She specialises in: devising and delivering training; supporting the role of subject leaders; leading whole school initiatives; working alongside teachers and consultancy in all aspects of English. Her assessment work now spans across the Midlands, as Janet continues to be a LA moderator and also supports Statutory Assessment in several Local Authorities to train moderators, lead training and provide CPD through Assessment networks and moderation courses. With strong links to STA, she co-ordinates the Midlands Moderation Managers Support group.

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