Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Research and Training
Specialism:
Primary, Reading, Transition and Writing
Region available:
North
Website:
https://researchschool.org.uk/lancashire
Profile
I have been teaching for 20 years in KS2- predominantly Y6 and have been English subject lead for this time also. I am Director of Lancashire Research school as part of the Research School Network working for EEF to support schools in evidence informed practice.
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Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Consultancy, Initial Teacher Education, Keynotes, Research, Training and Writing
Specialism:
Assessment, Cross-phase English, Initial Teacher Education, Oracy, Primary and Reading
Region available:
International, London, Midlands, National, North and UK
Profile
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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Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Consultancy, Teaching/working with pupils, Training and Writing
Specialism:
Cross-phase English, Curriculum Design, Initial Teacher Education, Primary and Reading
Region available:
Midlands, National, Online and UK
Social media:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lauraspargo Bluesky: @lauraspargo.bskysocial Substack: https://substack.com/@lauraspargo
Website:
www.lauraspargo.com
Testimonials
" 'Having Laura in to our school has transformed the way we teach English lessons and given the teachers the confidence to adapt planning and lessons to the needs of their class.' Rachel Boswell, Executive Headteacher, Tibshelf Infant School, Derbyshire."
" 'It’s always a joy to collaborate with someone who brings such clarity, depth, and heart to the work. I very much hope we’ll find more opportunities to work together in the future. Thank you once again for helping to make the session so memorable.' Nadine Abeng, Education Partner, Birmingham Education Partnership."
" 'We recently received training from Laura and have already booked her in for a return visit. It has sometimes proved difficult to find someone with the right skills, knowledge and passion to really engage our staff during training days but she provided us with the best training we have had for a long time!' Nikki Ingram, Literacy Coordinator, Dame Allan’s Junior School. "
Profile
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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Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Assessment, Consultancy and Writing
Specialism:
Assessment, Cross-phase English, Curriculum Design, Handwriting, Primary, Reading and Writing
Region available:
Midlands and North
Profile
Catherine works across the country to support maintained schools and Academy Trusts to enhance the teaching, learning and assessment understanding of staff, and develop the English curriculum and whole school offer. She is a Moderation Manger and end of Key Stage 2 external moderator, as well as supporting the moderation process for all year groups. Catherine works with the National Literacy Trust as an associate consultant, and is involved in the construction and delivery of research informed projects.
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Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Assessment, Consultancy, Keynotes, Teaching/working with pupils and Training
Specialism:
Cross-phase English, Curriculum Design, Early Years, Handwriting, Oracy, Phonics, Primary, Reading, Secondary Literacy and Transition
Region available:
Midlands, National, North, South and UK
Social media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-mccahill-178699149/
Profile
A senior leader at Ark Victoria Academy in Birmingham with responsibility for English, all-through literacy, reading, and curriculum development. I have extensive experience in improving reading and writing outcomes, leading whole-school literacy strategies, and supporting teachers to deliver high-quality English provision. In addition to my school-based leadership role, I currently serve as Network Lead for Primary English across Ark Schools, where I work with English leads and senior trust leaders to strengthen curriculum design, reading development, assessment, and professional learning. For the past 18 months, I have led RISE support linked to English priorities in Primary and All-Through settings across England. I am passionate about evidence-informed practice, educational equity, and ensuring that every child develops a lifelong love of reading.
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Personal Information
Specialism:
Early Years and Primary
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Personal Information
Specialism:
Handwriting, Oracy, Phonics, Primary, Reading and Writing
Region available:
Midlands
Social media:
FaceBook - Janet Fisher Education
Profile
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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Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Assessment, Consultancy, Teaching/working with pupils and Training
Specialism:
Assessment, Cross-phase English, Curriculum Design, Primary and Reading
Region available:
National and UK
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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Personal Information
Type of work offered:
Advisory work for government bodies/organisations, Assessment, Consultancy, Keynotes, Research, Teaching/working with pupils, Training and Writing
Specialism:
Assessment, Cross-phase English, Primary, Reading and Transition
Social media:
@moonmaddy
Website:
www.topsyhouse.co.uk
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