Instructors
Get to know the instructors behind your course!

Literacy Consultant
Linda Neill
Many years of experience teaching Y1-6 in a variety of settings
Extensive experience of raising literacy standards through subject leadership
Worked as a leading literacy teacher in Cheshire
Became a literacy adviser for Cheshire, leading a wide range of projects: Lead teacher programmes, reciprocal reading, lesson study and text based learning
KS1 and 2 writing moderator throughout Cheshire
Supported schools in challenging circumstances
Email

Literacy Consultant
Christine Yalland
Former Deputy Headteacher, responsible for implementing change across schools, monitoring and improving standards and supporting staff
Subject Leader for English and experienced member of SLT, leading the drive for consistency and improvement in standards in English
Experience in teaching EYFS and KS2 in a range of settings across different authorities
Experience of mentoring trainees and NQTs
KS2 Writing Moderator for Cheshire West and Chester
Email

Literacy Consultant
Cath Richardson
MEd in English
17 years teaching experience with years 1-6 in a variety of settings
Extensive school management experience
Lead literacy teacher for Cheshire
8 years as a local authority literacy adviser, supporting schools and teachers.
Extensive experience supporting vulnerable schools
Many years of experience in providing bespoke support and training for networks of schools and EIPs
Led national projects within Cheshire: Every Child a Writer, Assessing Pupil Progress, Boys’ Writing Project and More Able Writer Project
Supported lead teachers in CLLD project for phonics and early reading
Lead moderator for Cheshire; 18 years moderation experience for KS1 and KS2
Email

Literacy Consultant
Sue Hughes
Sue has extensive school management experience as Assistant Head and Deputy Headteacher. She is an experienced teacher of EYFS and Years 3 to 6 in a variety of schools and local authorities. As an experienced SENCO and dyslexia teacher, Sue has led on inclusion and closing the gap for disadvantaged pupils. She has also worked as both a SEND Consultant and Literacy Consultant for Cheshire West and Chester. As part of these roles, Sue trained in Reading Recovery and Speech and Language Support for 5-11 year old. As the EYFS specialist of the team, Sue is incredibly passionate about all aspects of the Early Years’ Curriculum.
Email

Literacy Consultant
Sian Collinson
Sian has many years of teaching experience across the primary age range with a particular focus in KS1 and SEND. She has a vast range of leadership experience in CLLD, phonics, English interventions and literacy. Sian also has experience in supporting schools as an SLE for English and phonics. This passion for early reading skills has been developed in Sian’s current role as phonics specialist for The Literacy Company. This has also led to Sian’s current involvement with English Hubs where she supports schools with the development of phonics and has gained DfE accreditation as a Letters and Sounds trainer.
Email

Literacy Consultant
Allison Riley
Extensive experience as a Literacy Consultant working across a variety of LAs
Many years of teaching and supporting EYFS-Y6 in a variety of local authorities and schools
Wide and rich experience of effectively driving and monitoring improvement in literacy standards across a range of schools
Knowledge of wider primary curriculum planning, with a particular interest in humanities
Has led a range of community and school cluster projects
Involvement in KS2/ KS3 transition projects
Experience of school strategic planning as member of SLT and English subject leader
Moderator for KS1 and lead moderator for KS2 for Cheshire West and Chester
Email
Instructor(s)

Literacy Consultant
Louise Stokes
Louise has many years teaching experience across the primary age range with a particular focus in KS1. Louise is a former Deputy Headteacher and Acting Head of School with much experience as the subject leader for Literacy. Louise has worked as an SLE for English in Warrington supporting English, middle leadership development and improving communication and language skills in Early Years. Louise is also an experienced KS1 moderator for Warrington Authority.
Email

Literacy Consultant
Jo Gaskell
Jo’s journey into teaching began in a middle school, and she now has 18 years classroom experience ranging from Y1- Y8. She has much experience of leadership: Head of English and Drama, maths lead teacher, literacy lead and pupil premium lead. Jo also enjoyed the responsibly of running Gifted and Talented Literacy workshops for Year 6 pupils through NWGT. Now in her role as English consultant, Jo takes great pleasure in supporting schools with the development of both reading and writing; she enjoys sharing her creative ideas with all of the teachers she works with.
Email