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Our Evidence Leads in Education work with the Aspirer Research School to help schools across the region in implementing evidence informed practice. This may involve leading or co-leading twilight events to communicate latest research findings, delivering on training courses for schools linked to their areas of specialism, or visiting schools to support them in turning theory into practice.Please click on the documents to read more about our wonderful Evidence Leads in Education (ELEs).
Michelle Cobb
Michelle is the point of contact for queries about planning for effective implementation, professional development, oracy and maths with Aspirer Research School
Michelle is Maths Lead for Aspire Educational Trust and a Mastery Specialist for Cheshire and Wirral maths Hub. Before this role, she was Vice Principal and Early Years Lead at a small school with mixed-age classes following 22 years teaching in Key Stage 2 at a large two-form entry school. Michelle supports schools across Cheshire and Wirral with implementation planning with a particular focus on maths, oracy, supporting mixed-age schools and effective professional development.
Florence Pope
Secondary literacy PD
Florence Pope is Assistant Headteacher at Tytherington High School in Macclesfield. Her area of responsibility is Teaching and Learning with a particular focus on Continuing Professional Development. (Click to read more)
John Barlow
John is the point of contact for queries about supporting effective professional development, cognitive science, literacy and SEND in mainstream schools.
John is a Deputy Headteacher and has worked in a range of roles across secondary schools in north west England in his career. He is a geography specialist and has 20 years of teaching and leadership experience, focusing on teacher development and quality of education. He is a Teacher Education Fellow with Ambition Institute. He has been an ELE with Aspirer Research School since 2020 and has supported schools on improving attendance and approaches to literacy in secondary schools.
Lisa Hesmondhalgh
Literacy – oracy, writing
Lisa is the Director of English for the Aspire Educational trust and a Local Leader of Education. She has over 30 years experience in education, most recently as a headteacher at a small primary school with mixed-aged classes using evidence informed strategies to secure a successful Ofsted judgement from Special Measures to Outstanding. Before this role, she worked as an assistant headteacher in a large primary school and specialist setting for pupils with complex needs.
As well as this role, Lisa works across the North West as a school improvement partner, supporting schools with preparation for inspection. She is currently completing her NPQEL.
Lisa has been an ELE for 8 years, working in the primary and secondary sector to support implementation planning with a focus on early reading and phonics, fluency and writing. Lisa is the point of contact for queries about Oracy and English with Aspirer Research School.
Jo Ashcroft
Metacognition, Implementation
CEO and Executive Head of CLIC, Jo’s passion is primary education and she is committed to securing the highest standards of teaching and curriculum and the very best possible outcomes for pupils. Her areas of Research School specialism are: evidence informed practice and engagement with education; effective implementation; making the difference for disadvantaged learners; metacognition; and long term learning (the cognitive science of learning). (Click to read more)
Helen Wright
Helen is the point of contact for queries about supporting schools in Maths
Helen is a Maths Subject Lead in a large primary school in central Manchester. She supports schools across the Aspire Multi Academy Trust in Cheshire and Manchester, developing effective maths teaching across the primary phase. Helen has nearly 30 years of teaching experience, having led maths for much of that time. She has been an ELE with Aspirer Research School for 8 years and has led on Maths in the Early Years and Key Stage One. Helen has also written blogs and delivered twilight sessions on developing problem-solving across the primary phase.
Emily Crumbleholme
Emily is the point of contact for Literacy, Metacognition and whole school implementation. She also has an interest in self-regulation and behaviour.
Emily is a Phase Lead for KS1 within a large 3 form Primary School. She has experience across all Key Stages from her 9‑year career. During this time, she has been an Assistant Principal for 4 years and holds a Masters in Educational Leadership. She has extensive experience working and supporting mixed age classes.
Emily has been an ELE for 8 years and has taken part in several research projects throughout her time with a focus on Literacy. She has written and delivered research projects across the country within her role.