Biographies
Neil Adams
Neil has undertaken to provide services in collaboration with all learners to construct and develop dynamic learning communities. He has extensive experience in harnessing the appropriate technologies to enrich the wider learning experience of adults and children.
Neil has undertaken nationally recognised programmes such as 'Write@Home' and has experience in supporting children as teachers and teachers as learners, addressing key areas such as digital literacy, community based learning platforms and multimodal media experiences.
Neil has been leading and developing a primary strategy learning network to enhance learning experience through video conferencing and social networking.
Judith Brierley
Judith Brierley joined Education Excellence in September 2006 as Leading Learning Adviser for CPD. Prior to this she was employed within a local authority working, first, as a Primary English Teacher Adviser and then as the CPD Project Manager with the Innovations and Development Team.
For 25 years Judith was a primary teacher and had responsibility for a number of specific areas. These included holding the role of Literacy Co-ordinator, SENCO, mentor to NQTs and TAs and a member of the senior management team. She was part of a beacon school and shared a range of leadership and management skills with other schools.
Most recently Judith has trained as a Talking Partners Tutor and has facilitated a number of performance management courses. She became a validator for the GTC's Teacher Learning Academy programme and has been a speaker for the TDA.
Wendy Cathie
Wendy has had a wealth of teaching experience in all key stages of the primary sector. Throughout her career she has held a number of management positions including Key Stage 2 Manager and Mathematics Subject leader.
Recently Wendy has worked in Wigan LA as a Numeracy Consultant where she provided professional development and consultancy to schools. As part of her work Wendy wrote an Excel program to track children's progress and support the setting of curricular targets for Numeracy key objectives. She worked with teachers and schools to target specific groups of underachievement and supported them in moving children's learning on.
Wendy is also interested in the differences in how children learn, specifically related to biological and sociological factors, and how these affect underachievement. Through this she had gained a Certificate in Professional Development in 'Developing Children's Thinking Skills'.
Sandra Farmer
Sandra has taught in a wide variety of educational settings ranging from pre school through to Higher Education, including experience of mainstream, special, day and residential education.
Sandra's former role as Senior Teacher Adviser for Primary Core Curriculum in Lancashire enabled her to develop and a co-ordinate a highly regarded programme of support in Primary English and maths. Her programme of delivery includes primary English and SpLD (dyslexia), First Steps (first and second editions) and the Better Reading Partnership. She has built on a six day accredited and nationally-recognised SpLD course and has influenced the development of dyslexia-friendly/mind-friendly learning in schools and FE establishments.
Sandra has experience of several initiatives to develop dynamic learning communities such as the Write@home project. It is her strong belief that learning should be fun.
Sandra is a pro-active member of the United Kingdom Literacy Association at a national and regional level. She has been a recent joint editor of English 4 - 11. She is a member of a wide variety of professional associations supporting the teaching of English and literacy - SAPERE, NATE, PADDA and The English Association.
Lee Fishwick
Lee's work in the primary sector in his role as an Advanced Skills Teacher has covered a wide range of specialist areas including classroom management, ICT across the curriculum and the creativity agenda within a balanced curriculum.
Lee has undertaken consultancy work for local authorities in support of curriculum developments as well as school based consultancy support of teaching and learning. In recognition of this Lee was named Primary Science Teacher of Year.
Lee has a provided the lead on a number of initiatives for curriculum and wider staff development, most recently in terms of emotional intelligence and in the coaching and mentoring of school based staff.
Stephanie Johnson
Having worked within Lancashire Education Services for 14 years as a classroom teacher, Deputy Headteacher, and Associate Literacy Consultant, Stephanie was appointed as a Teacher Adviser for Primary English for Lancashire. During this time, she also worked as an Associate Literacy Consultant and Associate Deputy Headteacher. She helped to establish a University of the First Age (UFA) fellowship programme and was the partnership manager for this. In September 2006, she took up the position of Learning and Teaching Adviser in Education Excellence. Her main responsibility is for Primary English, but she also offers advice and support re generic learning and teaching. Stephanie is a trained facilitator for First Steps™ Second Edition Reading and Writing and is a tutor for Better Reading Partners. She has also been trained as a trainer for TLO's Building Learning Power. Stephanie reviews children's books for the Write Away website (www.writeaway.org.uk) and enjoys producing practical resources for teachers to support interactive and engaging learning. She is co-author of the Comprehension Keys and the Spelling Post-it System.
Stephanie enjoys supporting colleagues to develop practice regarding all aspects of the above. She regularly works with SMTs to undertake whole school audits to support action in raising attainment in literacy, works 1-1 with colleagues on planning etc, advises regarding assessment of reading and writing, moderates levelling of writing, delivers INSET and works alongside colleagues in the classroom to demonstrate how to apply training to practice. She is particularly passionate about the use of speaking, listening,drama and visual literacy to support learning and help children make progress in reading and writing.
Linda Sherlock
Throughout her career, Linda has held a number of positions within the primary sector, including Deputy Head teacher, Acting Head teacher, Teacher Governor and Mentor for NQTs and Teaching Assistants. Linda has provided professional development opportunities in support of Primary English and has taken opportunities to widen her expertise to include workforce remodelling and accelerated learning techniques.
She is a Fellow of the University of the First Age, a Better Reading Partner Tutor and a facilitator for First Steps Reading Second Edition. She also holds the National Professional Qualification for Head teachers.
Mary Watson
Mary's 28 year career in education has encompassed a wide variety of roles both in schools and within education advisory services. She has been a subject leader, SENco, a Deputy Head Teacher and has extensive experience in all areas of teacher professional development. She has worked on a number of projects in schools across the north of England, working alongside colleagues and children to raise achievement in literacy and improve the quality of learning and teaching.
Mary is a recognised trainer for the First Steps programme in the areas of Oracy, Primary Strategy Literacy and Second Edition Reading. She has also completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
