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 - English 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.
Amy Harrison - English Hub Lead
Amy has a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies and she qualified as a teacher in 2009. She worked at OPA Littleworth Grange for 10 years, teaching across both primary key stages. Amy has worked as the Key Stage One Lead and Literacy Lead and supported colleagues to enhance their teaching in addition to developing reading and writing throughout the academy. She has a passion for early reading and believes every child can be a reader!
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.
Sophie Clubley - Administrative Officer
Sophie is based at the Outwood Institute of Education in Doncaster and works closely with the English Hub leadership team and local schools. Sophie oversees events run by the English Hub ensuring that delegates receive regular updates and emails about training, meetings and showcases.
Our Literacy Specialists
Paul Foster - Literacy Specialist
Paul qualified as a teacher in 1999 (BA Hons in Primary Education) and has been an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher since 2005. He has also been Vice-Principal in four Outwood academies. Paul has been senior leadership link of the English Hub in the past and is now keen to learn more about how to support schools in the role of Literacy Specialist.
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.
Megan Hudson - Literacy Specialist
Megan is the KS1 Teacher Coach for OGAT Primary academies. Megan qualified as a teacher in 2018 and has taught across KS1 and EYFS. She has a BA (Hons) First Class degree in Sociology and a PGCE in Primary Education. Megan is an experienced reading leader and has a passion for promoting a love of reading.
Ben McGarry - Literacy Specialist
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 - Literacy Specialist
Katie is a Literacy Specialist for the English Hub; she works in schools across Yorkshire developing language and a love of reading. 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.