Meet the Team
Kathryn Greenhalgh - Strategic Lead
Kathryn is a newly appointed English Hub strategic Lead for 2025/26. She has previously led maths across the trust and has led the Yorkshire and the Humber Maths Hub since its inception in 2014. She is also Chair of the Maths Hub Council. The Maths and English Hub programmes’ national drive to improve outcomes for all pupils reflects her ethos.
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.
Catherine Wright - Hub Lead
Catherine has led Outwood English Hub since 2019 and has worked in schools within and beyond the trust to enhance the quality of reading practice and performance.
Catherine qualified as a teacher in 2013 and has taught across the primary key stages. She has taught in Spain and has a BA (Hons), PGCE and Masters in Education. Catherine is passionate about removing barriers to social mobility through high-quality education.
Tarjinder Gill - Leader of Research and Pedagogy
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 in areas of high socio-economic disadvantage in the Midlands, Great Yarmouth, London and Wakefield. Tarjinder is passionate about improving the teaching of reading.
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. Katie also has an NPQLL.
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
Emma Charlesworth - Literacy Specialist
Emma is a highly experienced and dedicated teacher with over two decades of teaching experience across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. She is appointed as the EYFS Leader and Phonics & Early Reading Lead at East Park Primary, part of Horizon Academy Trust, where she plays a pivotal role in driving literacy improvement across the school. Emma holds a BA (Hons) in English and History and has held Qualified Teacher Status since 2002. Her professional practice is underpinned by a deep commitment to ensuring that all pupils acquire the fundamental skills needed to become fluent, confident readers. With extensive classroom experience and a strong pedagogical foundation, Emma brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and passion to her work in education.
Esther Darley - Literacy Specialist
Esther Darley is Phonics and Early Reading Leader at Woodlesford Primary School in Leeds. She qualified as a teacher in 1999 and has taught in the Foundation Stage and Year One. Esther is passionate about ensuring every child receives the best start possible in their language, phonics and early reading journey.
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.
Hannah Gotts - Literacy Specialist
Hannah is currently an Early Years Teacher, Early Reading and Phonics lead and EYFS and KS1 lead in Harrogate. She is also an ECT mentor. She regularly coaches and supports all staff with reading and phonics throughout her school. Hannah has taught all year groups across the Primary Phase. She has a BA (Hons) in English, PGCE in Primary Education and NPQEYL. She is currently working towards NPQSENCO. Hannah is passionate about reading and encouraging children to develop a love of reading. She believes that reading is the key to unlocking all other learning for children.
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.
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.
Ewa Rojko - Literacy Specialist
Ewa is a dedicated Literacy Specialist with over 15 years of experience working in primary education. She qualified as a teacher in 2016 and holds a Master’s degree in Science, along with a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology in Business. Ewa has a strong teaching background in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and is currently leading phonics and early reading across her setting. She has a proven track record of significantly improving pupils’ reading outcomes and brings expertise in coaching, mentoring, and delivering training to colleagues. Ewa is passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to become a confident, fluent reader.
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.