Research School Network: Evidence Advocates

Becky Harries is a Curriculum Director and Year 2 teacher at
Wyndham Primary Academy, part of the Spencer Academies Trust. Becky is an SLE
in History and leads the subject across Wyndham. As a Curriculum Director,
Becky has worked alongside a range of subject leaders and their teams to
develop and implement a knowledge rich curriculum with clear knowledge and
skills progression based on the latest research. Within her role of developing
the curriculum, Becky has developed other subject leaders’ subject knowledge
and skills as leaders, such as monitoring, driving change and giving feedback.

With a passion for metacognitive approaches and underpinned by
attending the Derby Research School Metacognition Programme, Becky is focussed
on developing long term schema within the children of Wyndham, ensuring these
build not only within a year group, but throughout their education in
subsequent years.

Caroline Arnold is the Director of the George Spencer Academy SCITT. She has designed and implemented a coherent teacher training programme with teaching and learning at its core. Caroline plans and delivers many of these training sessions as well as supporting, co-ordinating and quality assuring a team of trainers, mentors and tutors. Caroline also monitor trainee progress through observation, coaching and mentoring and runs comprehensive training and support for ITT and NQT mentors. Caroline is an accredited deliverer of the NASBTT Teacher Educator Programme and was the subject of a recent case-study on their website. Caroline also teaches MFL (French and Spanish) at George Spencer Academy

Jules Gordon is currently Vice Principal at George Spencer Academy with previous roles and responsibilities including Assistant Principal, Curriculum Leader for Science and Deputy Director of Teaching School. Jules is the Maths Hub senior Leadership Link within the East Midlands West Maths Hub. Jules has been a local authority consultant for Teaching, Learning and Assessment which was funded by National Strategies to support schools in the East Midlands area to improve. Jules continues to support science education as a Chartered Science Teacher through the Association of Science Education and runs the NQT coordinator network supporting beginning teachers. Jules has established numerous networks to support the teaching in both primary and secondary schools. As part of this network Jules has delivered CPD to ITT trainees, pre-ITT students, NQTs and leaders equally. This also includes supporting leaders with quality assurance regarding aspects of teaching and student achievement

Kate is responsible for support, performance standards and outcomes across the Trust’s 18 primary schools, including one special school, across the East Midlands region

Katy is the Assistant Principal at Fairfield Primary Academy with responsibility for exemplifying excellence in teaching, learning and assessment, implementation and impact of the curriculum, supporting/​coaching curriculum teams, leading the phonics team and promoting health and wellbeing.
Katy is passionate about promoting achievement through high quality teaching of Phonics and Early Reading. She has developed a school-wide phonics program to promote progress in reading for all children. When making changes she has utilised research to ensure that any changes made are proven to be effective.
In her role as Assistant Principal, Katy has developed curriculum leaders to ensure that a board and balanced curriculum is promoted at the school. She uses coaching strategies to develop curriculum leaders and ensure that the knowledge engaged curriculum at Fairfield is having an impact on pupil progress.

Natasha Birch is Assistant Headteacher at Portland Spencer
Academy with responsibility for behaviour for learning. Natasha has been in
this role at Portland for six years. Her role encompasses promoting behaviour
for learning through developing emotional intelligence in learners,
understanding learners’ needs and positive behaviour management strategies. As
part of this role, as well as supporting teachers with behaviour management,
she leads the nurture program for the school.

Natasha’s main ELE specialism is Behaviour for Learning. She
is able to offer a variety of support approaches, for example, working with
SLT, reviewing, developing and evaluating whole school behaviour strategy and
nurture provision. She can also facilitate CPD during INSET days, staff
meetings or network meetings on different aspects of behaviour management
including emotion coaching and positive behaviour strategies both inside and
outside the classroom. Another area where support can be offered is through
coaching individual teachers and creating and implementing personalised
programmes for children.

Katie McCabe is an Associate Senior Leader at Wyndham Primary Academy, part of the Spencer Academies Trust. Katie is an ELE, specialising in Personal Development and Mental Health and Wellbeing. She is the Designated Senior Lead for Mental Health at Wyndham, where she utilises her expert knowledge and skills to lead and drive the school’s Pastoral Team, as well as ensuring that whole school, targeted and specialised provision within this area is exceptional.

Katie is passionate about using evidence-based approaches and strategies to improve the personal outcomes and life chances for all children, particularly those who are disadvantaged (for example, children who have experiences Adverse Childhood Experiences, ACES).


This academic year, Wyndham was accredited the Silver Status School Mental Health Award by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, recognising Katie’s work in supporting and sharing best practice with other schools in Derby. Katie is also the PSHE/RSHE Lead at Wyndham, as well as a Phase Leader and Year 3 Teacher.

Lauren Brooker is currently a Year 2 teacher and Curriculum Director at Wyndham Primary Academy, part of the Spencer Academies Trust. Lauren has experience of teaching in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, as well as previously working as a Phase Lead within Lower Key Stage Two.
In her current role as a Curriculum Director, Lauren has worked closely with a range of subject leaders and their teams to develop and implement a sequential knowledge-rich curriculum with clear progression of subject knowledge and skills that is based on the latest research.
Within her role of developing the curriculum, Lauren has established strong working relationships with colleagues through delivering effective CPD and coaching sessions to help develop their subject knowledge and skills as leaders.
Additionally, Lauren has a passion for memory and metacognitive approaches. She is keen to ensure that colleagues are aware of best practice for teaching for memory and that children are taught and equipped with strategies which enable them to remember more and do more.

EYFS, Early Reading and Phonics Lead

History Specialist for Spencer Secondaries

Assistant Principal focus on T&L Literacy and Reading

Retired headteacher – areas of expertise school improvement and is a visiting fellow for Spencer Teaching School Hub NPQs

With over 30 years of experience in education, including 20 years in leadership positions, I have consistently focused on staff development to enable them to maximise their potential, thereby enhancing children’s educational outcomes.

My career has been varied, starting from leading mathematics across the school, a TLR role, followed by appointments as Acting Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Co-Headteacher in 2009, and ultimately substantive Headteacher from September 2013. Additionally, I have gained valuable leadership experience through two interim Headteacher roles, supporting schools during difficult periods, stabilising situations, and driving school improvement.

My diverse expertise encompasses serving as a Local Leader of Education (LLE), undertaking roles as an NCTL Pupil Premium reviewer, and acting as an Evidence Leader in Education (ELE) for Derby Research School.

Now retired, I facilitate both the NPSQL and NPQH programmes, support Early Career Framework (ECF) delivery, assess Early Career Teachers (ECT) on behalf of the Appropriate Body, and serve as an NPQ assessor, alongside working as a coach.

As a Level 5 coach with a qualification from the Institute of Leadership, I also offer one-to-one leadership coaching sessions for Headteachers and those in senior leadership. I empower clients to develop strategies to cope and prosper.

Jon is Vice Principal at Fairfield Spencer Academy and is currently responsible for data and outcomes, feedback and assessment, pupil premium and working alongside year group leaders to ensure effective implementation of the curriculum.

Vice Principal – SEND, Inclusion TA Leadership and Training

Cara worked as a primary teacher in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire for fifteen years, with a particular passion for supporting colleagues with their pedagogical skills and knowledge. Cara believes whole-heartedly in sharing evidence-informed best practice and used this to implement professional development systems.

Supporting and working with those new to their career in education has become a passion for Cara. She has been involved in delivery of CPD for Early Career Teachers across the East Midlands and supports their induction entitlements. She works with trainee teachers as Deputy Director of GSA SCITT and with Teaching Assistants as programme leader on the Level 3 TA Apprenticeship. Cara believes that investment in TAs is essential and is proud to have created and implemented the apprenticeship curriculum.

Job title: Vice Principal

Areas of expertise: Primary Literacy: Reading, Phonics Teaching and Learning

Katherine is Vice Principal at Chetwynd Primary Academy, part of the Spencer Academies Trust. She started her teaching career at Chetwynd as an NQT in 2012. During the past twelve years, Katherine has been driven by her commitment to quality-first teaching and learning. Evidence-informed practice has motivated Katherine to learn constantly as she has developed in various subject and system leader roles. Through subject, middle and senior leadership roles, Katherine has developed an in-depth understanding of the implementation cycle and its impact on school improvement in their own setting and beyond. She is an advocate for the key principles of instruction and is committed to embedding mastery across the curriculum. Katherine specialises in Phonics, Reading and the foundations of effective Teaching and Learning, alongside system leadership. She is excited to support others in their drive towards excellence, drawing upon research to shape reflections and to inform next steps. Katherine has supported subject and system leaders in a range of schools, collaborating to share best practice and to develop thinking. She has delivered the Reading strand of the curriculum for the George Spencer SCITT, alongside mentoring trainees. Recently, Katherine worked within the Derby opportunity area as a ​‘Phonics Champion’, working to support school improvement, and is currently a Literacy Specialist for the Priority Literacy Programme.

Job title: Senior Vice Principal (Deputy Head)

Areas of expertise: Primary Literacy, Behaviour, Outdoor Learning

Tracey began teaching in 1994, teaching in inner city Leicester as an NQT and then spent 20 years in Nottingham City at Crabtree Farm Primary School (formerly Bonington Junior School). Tracey’s passion for English – particularly writing – really flourished when she became English Lead at Crabtree Farm and her passion was shared with anyone who would listen. Tracey taught across KS2, but found herself predominantly in Year 6. Nottingham City had a focus on developing English and Tracey became a Leading Literacy teacher, supporting teachers in other schools and modelling lessons and facilitating discussions around what high-quality teaching and learning entailed, particularly in English. Tracey became an SLE in the first cohort and, as part of this, led an ​‘Improving Reading’ project across seven primary schools in the Bulwell EAZ (Education Action Zone), with her own school included. Tracey’s second year as an SLE involved co-leading a transition project between the primary and secondary schools in the EAZ, including modelling a lesson with her Year 6 class at Colwick Racecourse. Tracey was also a lead teacher for the ​‘Every Child a Writer’ project in Nottingham City, which involved working with staff in two schools to develop the writing process and improve attainment and achievement. During her time at Crabtree Farm, Tracey’s in-school roles included Year 5/6 Phase Lead and two periods of acting deputy head. Tracey is currently Senior Vice Principal at Chetwynd, having started at the school in September 2014 as Assistant Head, Year 5/6 teacher and English Lead, becoming Senior Vice Principal (Deputy Head) in 2017. Roles at Tracey’s current school include Writing and Oracy Lead, Behaviour Lead and Teaching and Learning Lead. Tracey is also incredibly passionate about Learning Beyond the Classroom, leading Forest School sessions and building in opportunities for ​‘outdoor learning’ and ​‘learning outdoors’ into the curriculum. Tracey has been non-class based since September 2019, but still teaches across the school, including regular cover in EYFS, Year 5 and Year 6. Although Tracey has spent the majority of her teaching career teaching Year 6, she has taught across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 and has enjoyed the challenges and joy that each of them present. As part of the Spencer Academies Trust, Tracey has facilitated Year 6 Networks and Primary English Networks (latterly for Derby Research School). This has involved building strong working relationships with other subject leads and sharing good practice. Tracey’s drive to ​‘pay it forward’ and share the passion that she still has for the role – 31 years in – led to facilitating on the SCITT course run through the George Spencer SCITT programme. Sessions currently include grammar (subject knowledge), creative grammar (how to embed and deliberately practise knowledge), spelling and vocabulary, writing across the curriculum and writing moderation. Through the Spencer Teaching School Hub, Tracey facilitates the NPQLL, and has thoroughly enjoyed not only sharing her passion for the subject, but learning from others as they share theirs. As an ELE through Derby Research School, Tracey is currently a Priority Literacy Lead, working with three schools in Derby/​Nottingham City to support improvement in writing. Tracey’s great passion is writing and developing a love of writing in everyone. Through attendance on Greater Depth writing courses and research, Tracey has recently introduced ​‘Random Writes’, giving children (and staff) an opportunity to develop writing for pleasure. This has been incredibly successful, and the school looks forward to developing this further.

Job Title: Principal
Areas of Expertise: Primary Leadership, Implementation and Change Management

Lorraine is Principal at Chetwynd Primary Academy, the Lead School for the Spencer Teaching Hub. She has led the team at Chetwynd Primary Academy for just over seven years and remains committed to providing all children with the best possible experiences, ensuring that they achieve their full potential – both academically and holistically. She is passionate about excellence in teaching and learning, working with many schools in the East Midlands to spread knowledge and evidence-based practice. This includes working with the Maths Hub after becoming one of the first schools to roll out the Mastery approach.Her passion for research resulted in Chetwynd changing their curriculum in 2015 to a knowledge-based curriculum, designed to maximise opportunities for children to revisit learning and remember more.She was incredibly proud to lead the first primary school in the county to earn an Outstanding grading under the new Ofsted framework in 2019, knowing that her investment in teaching and leadership development lies at the heart of outstanding teaching and learning.

Roisin Knight is Curriculum Lead at Christ the King Primary School in Leicester as well as being an Associate Tutor for the University of Leicester PGCE; a Lead Mentor and Subject Lead on the Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT; and a Museum Educator for Leicestershire County Council.

She has previously been a Pupil Premium Lead and Deputy Head teacher alongside facilitating on the ECT and ECT Mentor programmes and being a Visiting Fellow for several cohorts of the NPQLTD, NPQLL and NPQLT.
Previous ELE work has included supporting Pupil Premium leads to develop their PP strategies; providing evidence briefings on the Effective Use of TAs and on Social and Emotional Learning; delivering an Explicit Teaching of Vocabulary programme; and involvement in a project looking at metacognition and self-regulated learning in primary science. Her particular area of interest is Foundation subject curriculum design alongside CPD for Primary subject Leads.

In a previous ​‘professional life’, a job teaching English in Japan led to a career in educational publishing and a MA in Publishing.

Shelley is currently Deputy Headteacher at an all through school in Derby where she leads on Teaching and Learning and CPD, having previously held senior roles across both primary and secondary schools in the West Midlands and Staffordshire.

Whilst Shelley enjoys her leadership responsibilities and the opportunities it gives her to work with colleagues, in particular those early in their career, she is still happiest in her classroom teaching physics and implementing the evidence led practice that she supports her colleagues to embed across their classrooms.
With an interest in literacy and the role that it plays in removing barriers to learning for pupils, Shelley also works as a Bell Foundation Licenced Practitioner, supporting schools to evaluate and develop their school policy around teaching for pupils who have English as an additional language.

Shelley has delivered several NPQs for Ambition Institute over the last 6 years and loves the interaction it provides with colleagues from a range of settings and also the opportunities it provides for her to continue to learn.

Job Title: Director of Research and Development

Areas of Expertise: SEND, AP, Inclusive Pedagogy and Curriculum Adaptation, Behaviour, Communication, Leadership

Jolene is the Director of Research and Development at Esteem Multi Academy Trust, a SEND and Alternative Provision MAT spanning 14 schools across the Midlands. Her work centres on designing and delivering a high-quality professional learning offer for both internal colleagues and external partners, with a sharp focus on inclusion, leadership, and evidence-informed practice.

With specialist expertise in inclusive pedagogy, curriculum adaptation, SEND, communication, and behaviour, Jolene has held a range of leadership roles in both specialist and alternative provision settings. Her practice is grounded in a trauma-informed, emotionally literate approach to behaviour, underpinned by research and focused on enabling co- and self-regulation.

Jolene plays a supportive role beyond her Trust, working in partnership with the University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and other MATs to share best practice in SEND. She facilitates Early Career Framework learning, supports ITT development, and is a network lead for the BERA Teacher Network. She regularly delivers professional learning communities, including ECT and UQT development, English and leadership training.

An advocate for the intelligent use of evidence, Jolene embeds the EEF’s guidance – particularly the implementation cycle – across a range of contexts, adapting it meaningfully for SEND and AP settings. She is passionate about ensuring every learner – particularly those with SEND or at risk of exclusion – receives the opportunity to thrive.