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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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I have over 10 years of teaching experience in the Primary Classroom, followed by sharing my teaching experiences through film and animation to inspire both reading and writing. This led to the development of The Literacy Shed, a resource now used in most primary schools in the UK and beyond. I have contributed to several academic publications and developed curricula for Spelling, Reading and Writing, which are now used in thousands of primary schools around the world.

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I have over 25 years’ experience of teaching in secondary and primary schools, with a particular focus on English and assessment. I have helped to raise standards in schools by providing specialist English training, targeted support and coaching for teachers and senior leaders. I am currently the Moderation Manager for Brent, overseeing moderation processes for KS2 writing and providing statutory assessment/moderation training. I have delivered highly-evaluated training courses for a number of London local authorities and bespoke in-service training for schools. My training offers practical and effective ideas for immediate use and impact in the classroom.

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Wendy has a wealth of experience in education having worked as a Secondary school leader, Senior LA Adviser and 6 years as an Ofsted Inspector. She is the Lead UK trainer for Professor John Hattie's Visible Learning programme with Osiris Educational and Corwin, working with schools nationally and internationally. She also provides bespoke training and SIP consultancy working extensively with Head teachers as a School Improvement Partner, training teachers, leaders and ECTs in all phases across the UK and in Europe. Wendy is passionate about supporting all teachers to make a difference in their classrooms and for their learners.

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Leah had 15 years experience as a Local Authority English Inspector/Adviser, working across the primary and secondary phases before becoming an independent consultant. In her school career, she held pastoral and subject leader roles. She now leads Thinktalk consultancy, is a Tutor for the King’s College Let’s Think in English Cognitive Acceleration programme and is a consultant and writer for Bob Cox’s Opening Doors publications and consultancy. She has completed a Masters in Education Degree on teacher learning and development and has supported a European Erasmus project on the Assessment of Thinking Skills. Leah has led extended professional learning courses through Teaching Schools and MATS on Mastery of Reading at primary, Writing Design and Process, Grammar for Purpose and Viewpoint, and Word Study – combining the teaching of spelling and vocabulary. She is delivering the new NPQ in Leading Literacy through the University of Winchester.

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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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Jo Beer is a Senior Lecturer in Primary English and Religious Education with over thirty years’ experience across primary education, teacher education, curriculum development, mentoring, consultancy, governance and professional learning.Her work is rooted in a passion for language, literacy and communication, supporting teachers to develop confident, reflective and research-informed practice. She teaches Primary English across undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education programmes, with particular interests in early reading, phonics, writing, storytelling and children’s literature. Alongside this, she teaches Religious Education, Professional Studies and Arts in Education, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to learning, creativity and meaning-making in the primary classroom.Before joining higher education, Jo spent nearly twenty years teaching in primary schools, holding leadership responsibilities across Early Years and Key Stage 1, as well as English-related areas including assessment, curriculum development and subject leadership. This extensive classroom experience continues to inform her university teaching, partnership work and professional development programmes.Jo’s research and professional interests focus on primary English, literacy development, teacher presence and professional identity. She is particularly interested in how stories, language and literature support children’s learning, and how teachers develop the confidence, authenticity and subject knowledge needed to create engaging and inclusive classroom environments.Alongside her academic role, Jo contributes to governance, quality assurance and educational leadership through external examining, trusteeship and school governance. She is an active member of professional organisations including UKLA, the English Association, NATRE and AREIAC, and is committed to connecting subject expertise with thoughtful, evidence-informed classroom practice.

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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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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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English adviser committed to developing people and solving real problems that shape strong schools.

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