Meet the Team

Emma is an experienced Teacher across the EYFS and KS1. As a KS1 middle leader, she has a particular passion for Phonics and Reading and ensuring that every child becomes a fluent reader. Emma thrives in mentoring and coaching other practitioners.

Teachers from other settings have observed her teaching and in particular she has worked closely with them to develop their understanding of phonics and the impact a well-planned and established structure can have on children’s early reading. She has previously hosted a DFE Phonics Roadshow at school to celebrate the impact of the school’s work alongside working to achieve Model School Status in Read Write Inc.

Another particular highlight is that 97% of the Year 1 cohort at St John Vianney passed the Phonics Screening Check in 2019 and more importantly they can now read fluently and for pleasure. She strongly believes in improving practice and inspiring practitioners to be the best they can be.

Emma’s overarching belief in the transformative power of reading as the gateway to all other learning underpins her dedication to instilling a love for reading in children from the very beginning of their educational journey. She finds joy in introducing children to a diverse range of quality stories, firmly establishing the foundation for a lifelong love of literature.

Emma is now looking forward to leading the team of Literacy Specialists and working with schools to support the aims of our St John Vianney English Hub. She is delighted to be in the role of Hub Lead to work alongside schools and leaders in order to ensure the very best quality of early reading and phonics education for all their pupils.

Caroline has over 30 years teaching experience throughout the Foundation and Primary Key Stages in a variety of schools from a range of socio-economic areas. She has a special interest in early communication and language, oracy, quality phonics teaching and early reading. Her knowledge, experience and expertise have led to the involvement in many projects with a focus on environments and systems, staff coaching and curriculum development in a range of contexts and challenges.

Teaching and learning in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 is a great passion and strength. She has mentored and coached many teams to become aware of their context, challenges, direction and how to develop the effective teaching and learning of reading. Caroline has implemented quality targeted interventions to promote the development of spoken language skills such as vocabulary knowledge, story-telling and listening skills through a variety of programmes. She advocates quality first teaching, clear planning, a focus on building children’s phonic skills, regular practice of assisted blending, skilled targeting and rigorous assessment.

In addition to this, regular pupil progress meetings to allow targeted quality short-term interventions to impact those children at risk of falling behind is vital. She values parental involvement and believes shared “next steps” are of great importance.

Previous experience as a member of senior management teams in a variety of schools and as Deputy and Acting Headteacher have also helped her develop a flexible and consultative approach, building strengths through focused coaching, monitoring, self-evaluation and feedback from staff to raise standards and nurture teams to achieve the best possible education for children.

Caroline has been part of the team at the St John Vianney English Hub for over 4 years and is excited to continue to support the delivery of quality early literacy, helping children to have the best possible start in their educational journey.

Tessa is the EYFS Phonics and Early Reading Lead at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School and has recently been appointed as a Literacy Specialist for the English Hub. She is an experienced Teacher of 20 years and has taught across all Key Stages and in every year group from Nursery to Year 6. Tessa has been a Teacher in EYFS for the last three years and has a genuine passion for teaching children to read. She relishes in playing such an essential role in being part of the children’s early reading journey and teaching children not only to read, but to LOVE reading from the very start of their journey in school!

Tessa truly believes that reading really is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible! She loves nothing more than generating a real love and enthusiasm for books and introducing children to such a wide range of quality stories. In addition to her passion for teaching early phonics and generating true love of reading, Tessa is also very interested in early communication and language and has recently led whole-school training and staff CPD in helping school to gain the status of a ‘Communication Friendly Setting’.

As part of her role in school as Phonics Lead, Tessa enjoys supporting her own colleagues in a coaching capacity, ensuring quality-first teaching, helping to develop a strong team of Reading Teachers in her own school. Tessa strives to ensure teaching and learning in phonics and early reading is the best that it can be and she takes great pleasure in seeing the positive impact this support has on her colleagues teaching and most importantly, the children’s learning.

In her wider role as Literacy Specialist, Tessa is now excited to be able to extend this support even further, developing positive working relationships with professionals in other schools that are supported by the hub. She looks forward to working alongside other schools to help enhance the teaching of phonics and early reading and the successful implementation and delivery of their chosen Systematic Synthetic Phonics Programme.

Heather is the Assistant Headteacher and English lead at an ‘Outstanding’ special school for pupils aged 2 to 19 years old. I have experience teaching within Early Years, Primary and Secondary in our SEND setting. Prior to this I taught in a mainstream school in Early Years and Year 1, for 8 years, where I was part of the SLT team and SENDCO for the entire school.
I strive to provide high quality teaching that is adapted in order to break down learning barriers so individuals can make progress. I’m passionate in creating a culture of curiosity, excitement and sparking a passion and love for reading.
I lead our school in adopting a new phonics SSP and have worked hard to chain back the pre skills and knowledge to create a curriculum that allows all pupils to access phonics at their personal developmental level. Leading the whole school and driving a consistent method, reliant on collaboration and team work, has had significant impact, improving the quality of teaching and learning across the school.
As part of my role, I deliver regular training for class teachers, teaching assistants, and senior leaders. This training, which extends outside of my own school, improves individuals own practice thus raising outcomes for pupils.

Joanne is an experienced teacher and middle leader and have worked at the same primary school in Blackpool for the past 24 years! I have been the Key Stage One Phase Leader for the past 5 years and in this role, I have had the responsibility of working closely with teachers, teaching assistants and the senior leadership team. I have undertaken and passed an NPQML and more recently an NPQLL which has added a wealth of knowledge and understanding to my role as a leader. During my time as a teacher, I have taught in a variety of year groups from Reception up to Year 3. I am currently a full time Year 2 class teacher – which I love! Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with many teachers and as an experienced teacher, I pride myself on being a supportive role model for others. 

I have led many subjects but my passion lies with English which I have led for the past 6 years. I am particularly passionate about phonics and reading and as an avid reader myself, I love to share my love of reading with children and other teachers. 

I have been responsible for implementing a new, whole school phonics scheme and regularly lead staff meetings and INSET training to ensure consistency and fidelity to our chosen scheme. I make time to teach alongside my reading teachers on a regular basis and provide opportunities for further CPD for teaching assistants and learning support assistants.

Jen is the Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator and Senior Leader in a two form entry infant school and nursery. Throughout my 15 years teaching career, I have held various roles and responsibilities and have experience of teaching across both Early Years and Key Stage One. Teaching children to read and seeing them find enjoyment from reading, regardless of their background or ability brings me immense joy.

I am passionate about my role as Early Reading and Phonics lead in school and strive to effectively lead staff to ensure we are rigorous on our journey to success. As part of this role, I model exceptional practice in my daily teaching, deliver training and weekly masterclass sessions, coach and mentor individuals, carry out assessments and co-ordinate the smooth running of reading and phonics sessions across school. I am eager to develop professionally and keen to ensure my own professional development is ever growing.

Sarah is the Deputy Headteacher and an experienced Early Years Leader of a two form entry Infant School and Nursery school.   My passion lies with Early Reading and promoting language, I love nothing more than sparking interest and excitement with a new class book! 

 I have a whole school responsibility for leading Phonics and Early Reading.   I have been in this role for 5 years, I currently teach within a Reception class which has a high percentage of SEND.   I have recently completed Makaton Level 1 and 2.  

 As part of SLT I have had an impact in improving the quality of teaching and learning in both Early Years and Key Stage One across  our school. As part of our SIG cluster group I have supported schools in their development  of firmly embedding Phonics and Early Reading,  I truly believe in a collegiate approach to improving standards. It relies on collaboration and supportive relationships. This is the way to develop and drive sustained improvement in Education. 

 Throughout my role, I provide regular training for class teachers, both within and outside of my own school, in improving their own practice and raising outcomes for pupils. I aim to provide direct classroom support through modelling good practice and team teaching. I am also experienced in curriculum design, in particular Early Years,  English and Art and Design , ensuring that there is coverage and clear progression across all year groups. 

 On a personal note,  I have a season ticket for Liverpool FC and spend many weekends braving the cold weather watching both my sons in their many sporting activities.  

Leanne is the Early Years Lead and Reading Leader at Whiston Willis Primary Academy. I began my teaching career at Whiston Willis and over the last 7 years, I have delivered significant improvements and brought about positive change in the quality of the EYFS provision, Reading and Phonics along with curriculum development.  As part of the SLT at the school my role involves developing subject Leaders and driving improvement across the curriculum.

I am a passionate and driven person with experience in the planning and design of a new curriculum and took the lead role in its implementation. Along with leading the Early Year’s Team I also lead and coach an expert team of reading Teachers and an have excellent track record of achievement in both areas.

I have significantly contributed to successful change that will enhance the children’s education at my school, and this has been positively recognised and commended by OFSTED. I have also gained experience in my past role as Good Practice Lead for Knowsley MBC in working collaboratively and supporting and training Early Years Practitioners.

Through my new role as Literacy Specialist, I would find it a privilege to share my experience and knowledge in supporting and training Reading Leaders and teachers. I would be totally committed to any school that I work with and collectively believe that we will drive improvement

I am the Assistant Headteacher and an experienced middle leader of a large, three form entry Infant School. I have had experience of teaching within every year group in a primary school and I am the current lead teacher for Key Stage One as I have extensive experience across this age range. My passion lies with Early Reading and I love nothing more than sparking interest and excitement with a new class novel!

I have a whole school responsibility for leading English, including Early Reading and Phonics. I have been in this role for 6 years and amongst all this, I teach full time within a Year 1/EYFS mixed age class.

I am also an SLE for English and since being appointed, I have had an impact in improving the quality of teaching and learning in both Early Years and Key Stage One across a wide range of schools. I firmly believe in a collegiate approach to improving standards. It relies on collaboration and supportive relationships. This is the way to develop and drive sustained improvement in Education.

Throughout my role, I provide regular training for class teachers, both within and outside of my own school, in improving their own practice and raising outcomes for pupils. I aim to provide direct classroom support through modelling good practice and team teaching. I am also experienced in curriculum design, in particular English, ensuring that there is coverage and clear progression across all year groups.

Danny joined the team at St John Vianney over five years ago, and has over 5  previous years’ experience of working in local schools. He has been an integral part of our Hub journey from the very beginning. He is extremely passionate about his role as School and Hub Business Manager with a clear drive and vision for school improvement. He has a strong financial background, working as an accountant for 10 years specialising in the production of Academy accounts and auditing.

He also has a wealth of knowledge and experience in customer service.

Anya has many years of experience of working in a school setting and within the local authority. She is enthusiastic about her role in School and as part of the Hub team. Anya’s wealth of experience and ability to work diligently and efficiently makes her invaluable to the Hub and School in general.

Joanne has a strong educational background that she has used to great effect to be an effective part of the Hub team. Her attention to detail and approachability has led to her becoming the first point of contact between the Hub and the schools that are looking to inquire about the support that is available to them.