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Type of work offered: Advisory work for government bodies/organisations and Training

Website: I am a lead school improvement adviser for English and moderation manager. Having taught across key stages 1 and 2, relatively recently, I am able to draw on my expertise to support schools with their English curriculum and teaching. I am passionate about empowering subject leaders and teachers to enact change in their setting. I provide training for teachers and English subject leaders around all areas of English, including a grammar course, reading course, phonics networks, subject leader networks. I also run projects with groups of schools. Recently I have been part of a successful writing project which addresses all aspects of the writing curriculum. I have also led on a secondary early reading project, empowering literacy leads withing secondaries to implement reading interventions and to develop disciplinary literacy skills across the school. My next project coming up will be implementing an effective oracy strategy in our primary and secondary schools. I also deliver assessment leader networks and provide training for teachers around various aspects of assessment, including an in-depth look at reading and writing assessments.

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I have been working as an English adviser for Achieving for Children for the past three years. I have recently taken on the role of moderation manager. My experience is within primary education. I have taught in the majority of year groups (years 1-6) for the past 17 years and have recent classroom experience. In my current role, I provide training for teachers and English subject leaders around all areas of English, including a grammar course, reading course, phonics networks, subject leader networks. I also run projects with groups of schools. Recently I have been part of a successful writing project which addresses all aspects of the writing curriculum. I have also led on a secondary early reading project, empowering literacy leads withing secondaries to implement reading interventions and to develop disciplinary literacy skills across the school. My next project coming up will be implementing an effective oracy strategy in our primary and secondary schools. I also deliver assessment leader networks and provide training for teachers around various aspects of assessment, including an in-depth look at reading and writing assessments.

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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

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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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Type of work offered: Consultancy, Training and Writing

Specialism: Cross-phase English and Oracy

Region available: International and UK

Social media: Blue Sky @think_talk_leah.bsky.social

Website: www.leahcrawford.com

Testimonials

"'I am more confident now to ‘facilitate’ when questioning and I feel more able to reinforce the ‘ease’ in which grammatical knowledge can be applied to complex tasks through talk.' Primary English Subject Leader"

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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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Specialism: Handwriting, Oracy, Phonics, Primary, Reading and Writing

Region available: Midlands

Social media: FaceBook - Janet Fisher Education

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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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Type of work offered: Assessment, Consultancy, Teaching/working with pupils, Training and Writing

Specialism: Oracy, Primary, Reading and Writing

Region available: Midlands, National, North, Scotland, South, UK and Wales

Social media: @RuthBakerLeask

Testimonials

"'Ruth is one of the most knowledgeable, well-informed and enthusiastic people working in the field of primary English. I’ve learnt so much about education from her.' James Clements, writer, researcher and author of ‘Teaching English by the Book."

"'Ruth's training videos deliver great content. Her expertise is underpinned by a deep knowledge of what really works in the classroom, and her presentation style is clear and engaging.' Joe Carter, Head of Content, Teach Primary"

"'Ruth exudes passion and common sense which is infectious. My staff were genuinely inspired working alongside her, and she had a clear impact on us achieving outstanding in our OFSTED.' Darrell Butler, Principal, Jon Locke Academy, London"

"'Due to Ruth’s support, we have seen staff confidence grow in how to identify and use quality texts effectively. As a result, there has been a huge improvement in our writing! We now see our children enjoying writing and wanting to write and being able to self edit and improve.' Sally Robbins, English Leader, Pedmore C of E Primary School, West Midlands"

"'Ruth’s energy and expertise have led to the development of a completely new curriculum approach to the teaching and learning of English in the 6 primary schools within our trust. She has efficiently coordinated working with our subject leaders to produce clear and comprehensive resources, which encompass both the skills and content required by the National Curriculum in years 1-6. In the absence of face-to-face sessions, the videos Ruth produced as professional development for our teachers have been very well received. Engaging, motivating, inspiring, professional and responsive - we couldn’t have asked for more!' Katy Russell, Head of School Development, East Midlands Academy Trust"

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As a former local authority English advisor and headteacher, I have extensive leadership experience as well as curriculum expertise. I work across the country supporting academy trusts, local authorities, schools and other organisations in improving teaching, strengthening leadership and developing curriculum. I am currently the chair of the National Association of Advisors in English (NAAE) as well as working with organisations such as The National Literacy Trust (NLT) and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) as an associate consultant/teacher and I am a member of the United Kingdom Literacy Association's (UKLA) Awards and Members Committee. I am passionate about research-informed practice and in supporting teachers to understand how children learn to read and write.

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Type of work offered: Research and Training

Specialism: Primary, Reading, Transition and Writing

Region available: North

Website: https://researchschool.org.uk/lancashire

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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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Type of work offered: Training

Specialism: Assessment, Curriculum Design and Primary

Region available: London and South

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Type of work offered: Assessment, Consultancy and Training

Specialism: Assessment, Curriculum Design, Oracy, Primary and Reading

Region available: London, Online and South

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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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Type of work offered: Writing

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Supporting reading, writing, oracy and School Improvement, across the English curriculum.

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Personal Information

Type of work offered: Advisory work for government bodies/organisations, Assessment, Consultancy, Teaching/working with pupils, Training and Writing

Specialism: Curriculum Design, Oracy, Phonics, Reading and Writing

Region available: International and National

Social media: x - @susie_spolander

Website: www.primarysupportteam.co.uk

Testimonials

"Over the past few years, Susie has been an integral part of the development of our English curriculum. She has supported the leadership team with planning, implementation and monitoring, ensuring results that exceed national standards across all areas. In addition, Susie has tailored training sessions for both the entire staff and individual teachers, strengthening their practices and fostering a culture of continuous improvement."

"I just wanted to say thank you for all your help with writing. Our results this year built on the great training that you gave us: 83% of our pupils hit the expected level in writing with 20% working at a greater depth! To say we were pleased would be an understatement and we thought you might like to know the impact that you were a part of."

"I have worked with Susie over many years. When I needed some staff training on key priorities, I asked Susie to support. Her knowledge of current developments were particularly useful, both supporting staff and challenging their thinking. The focus on grammar and whole class guided reading has certainly supported the staff in improving attainment for children. Our KS2 results clearly show the impact of the support."

"Susie is clear, has great subject knowledge and speaks with passion and enthusiasm. The project gave practical ideas that can be implemented straight away."

"I have tried your method for writing for the first time over the last couple of weeks and I am overwhelmed by how well it has turned out. I am excited about feeding back to school and sharing the experience so that they can also move forward. I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your guidance and support."

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With over 25 years in education, Susie is an experienced teacher, leader and English consultant, working with schools and organisations both nationally and internationally. Drawing on her comprehensive understanding of curriculum, assessment, and effective teaching methodologies, she guides school leaders, teachers support staff and governors in developing their strategy and practice to improve pupil outcomes. Having served in a variety of educational roles, including as a Local Authority School Improvement Consultant for both Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, Susie specialises in designing and delivering tailored training programmes and projects to address educational priorities, working with individual schools, academies, trusts and partnerships, as well as collaborating with institutions such as Oxford University Press, Hachette Education, BlueSky Learning and Edge Hill University. Susie is passionate about inspiring teachers and engaging learners. Her face-to-face and online training is of high quality: rooted in the curriculum and providing evidence-based practice coupled with creative teaching and learning approaches. She believes in a bespoke approach to school support, working alongside school leaders, class teachers and support staff to develop practice through a range of leadership and classroom-based strategies, always precisely tailored to the identified needs of the school.

Elizabeth Armour

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Catherine Caldwell

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Leah Crawford

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Janet Fisher

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Ruth Baker- Leask

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Gillian Fearns

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Alex Francis

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Eleanor Martlew

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Sonia Thompson

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Susie Spolander

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