Meet the Team
Emma Sikora - Strategic Lead
Emma, the Director of Outwood Institute of Education, is delighted to be involved in the strategic planning and decision-making processes for the Outwood English Hub. Her main goal is to provide comprehensive support to educators in schools, ensuring they have access to purposeful networks and resources.
Emma is particularly passionate about inspiring trainee teachers and early career teachers to find their confidence and creativity in the classroom.
Catherine Wright - Hub Lead
Catherine is the Associate Director of Reading for Outwood Grange Academies Trust and the Outwood English Hub Lead; she works in schools within and beyond the trust to enhance to quality of reading practice and performance.
Catherine qualified as a teacher in 2013 and has taught across the primary key stages. In addition to this, she was part of the Senior Leadership Team working as a Literacy Lead and Evidence-based Practice Lead for her previous school and worked to develop other schools’ literacy strategies. She has a BA (Hons), PGCE and Masters in Education.
Ben McGarry - Hub Lead
Ben is the Director of English for the OGAT primary academies. He is passionate about providing pupils with the English skills they need to succeed on their academic journey. Over the last few years, Ben has developed and embedded a whole-school English strategy (including reading, writing and developing a love of reading). He has worked with and supported staff across various key stages and in various contexts. Ben has a BA (Hons) in English Studies and a PGCE in Primary Education. He qualified as a teacher in 2013.
Katie Pitts - Deputy Hub Lead
Katie qualified as a teacher in 2006 and has taught across LKS2, KS1 and EYFS. In addition to this, she has been part of the Senior Leadership Team working as KS1, EYFS and Reading Leader. She has a PGCE in Primary Education and a BSc in Psychology.
Rebecca Arnold - Assistant Manager
Rebecca is based at the Outwood Institute of Education in Redcar and works closely with the English Hub leadership team. Rebecca overseas the running of OIE Redcar and ensures the smooth running of training courses and events.
Germaine Avo - Administrative Officer
Germaine is based at the Outwood Institute of Education in Doncaster and works closely with the English Hub leadership team and local schools. Germaine oversees events run by the English Hub ensuring that delegates receive regular updates and emails about training, meetings and showcases, whilst answering any queries schools may have.
Kerry Lee - Administrative Officer
Kerry is based at the Outwood Institute of Education in Doncaster and works closely with the English Hub leadership team and local schools. Kerry oversees events run by the English Hub ensuring that delegates receive regular updates and emails about training, meetings and showcases.
Our Literacy Specialists
Lorraine Leonard - Literacy Specialist
Lorraine has worked for Outwood Grange Academies Trust for 10 years as a teacher, Assistant Principal and is currently Associate Vice Principal at Outwood Primary Academy Kirkhamgate. Lorraine is an experienced reading leader, who has a passion for promoting a love of reading and has supported members of staff to deliver SSP and improve outcomes for all children. She has a BA (Hons) First Class degree in Family Studies and a PGCE in Primary Education.
Tarjinder Gill - Literacy Specialist
Tarjinder is the Associate Director of Research and Pedagogy for Outwood Grange Academies Trust. She has a BA (Hons) in European Studies and an MPhil in Political Science. She qualified as a teacher in 2004 and has worked as a class teacher of high socio-economic disadvantage in the Midlands, Great Yarmouth, London and Wakefield. Tarjinder is passionate about improving the teaching of reading.
Hayley Bowe - Literacy Specialist
Hayley is an EYFS Phase Leader for Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate and teacher lead coach across Outwood Grange Primary Academies. Hayley qualified as a teacher in 2012 and has taught across LKS2, KS1 and EYFS. SHe has a BSc (Hons) First Class degree in Counselling and Psychology and PGCE and loves supporting children with their early reading and writing skills.
Vicky Poole - Literacy Specialist
Vicky is a dedicated Literacy Specialist with a BA (Hons) in English and Qualified Teacher Status since 2001. With experience teaching all year groups from KS1 to KS2, she brings a wealth of classroom expertise to her role. Vicky is known for her enthusiasm for English, commitment to professional development, and ability to provide regular training and coaching to colleagues within the trust. She firmly believes every pupil can excel in reading and writing with the right support.
Caroline Butterwick - Literacy Specialist
Caroline qualified as a teacher in 2007 and has taught across EYFS and Key Stage 1. She has worked as part of the Senior Leadership Team as a Deputy Headteacher and has over ten years of experience as a SENCO. She is currently an Early Years Teacher and Reading Lead with a passion for helping all children develop a strong foundation in phonics. She has a BA (Hons) in English Literature, a PGCE in Primary Education, a Post Graduate Certificate in Vulnerable Learners and Inclusion and the National Award for SEN Coordination.
Helen Gibson - Literacy Specialist
Helen is the phonics and reading lead and currently leads and teaches in KS1 at Bilton Grange Primary School in Harrogate. She qualified as a teacher in 2009 and has taught across EYFS and KS1 in three different schools in North Yorkshire. Helen is passionate about phonics and Early Reading and the doors this opens for pupils. She believes there is nothing more magical and rewarding than watching children learn to read.
Sally Stewart - Literacy Specialist
Sally is the Lead Practitioner for Phonics and Reading for the BKCAT Trust. She is Phonics and Early Reading Lead and EYFS Lead at the Academy and regularly coaches, trains and develops reading teachers in her own school, Trust Primary and High Schools. As well as phonics, her current passion is developing pupil’s reading fluency. She has recently developed a research-based strategy for the teaching of reading fluency which is being implemented across the Trust. Sally has a long career in school improvement, training, coaching and mentoring. Initially working as an Advanced Skills Teacher for Early Years, she is also a SLE for Early Years Foundation Stage and has worked across schools and private settings.