Hello I’m Carl,
With twenty years of experience behind me, I left headship to follow my passion for literacy.
Combining my strategic leadership experience and my in-depth knowledge of literacy, I now focus on providing schools with the very best support, guidance and programmes.
The 2025 Autumn term
For context, as well as having my own business providing school support, training and programmes, I work for the wonderful Flying High Trust.
The bulk of my in-school support in the autumn term has focused on supporting secondary schools. This has been through my own independent work and the new English Hub Secondary pilot. Through my role at the English Hub strategic lead,
I have shaped a new audit process for reading in secondary schools and was able to implement this in schools across Derby and Nottingham. In addition to this, I was also successful in becoming a member of the DfE Secondary Expert Advisory Group to help advise the DfE in shaping the secondary school offer. Regularly meeting with the group of experts is certainly a highlight from the autumn term and I cannot wait to keep this going throughout the academic year.
The role also enabled me to share my knowledge and experience across the country via the English Hubs network. Helping to shape reading support across the country is certainly one of my autumn highlights.
Autumn 2025 also saw the launch of the newly formed Literacy Excellence Centre. This is an idea I have had for a while now and cannot thank the Flying High Trust enough for making this a reality.
Being able to provide literacy guidance, support and training across the East Midlands is really exciting. Learn more about the offer.
In my independent work, more schools have joined my Support for Spelling programme which is fantastic. It is becoming a great network of schools and I cannot wait to see the great practice that will lead to improved teaching of spelling. Teaching spelling is a common challenge shared by practitioners and one I wanted to help. Support for Spelling is something that takes the best research and blends it with ‘artful application,’ so staff are confident when teaching spelling and children succeed and apply spellings in their writing with confidence.
Finally, it was great to see numerous schools return and request further access to my Launchpad and Orbital Reading training. It’s clear that they value the approach and can see the impact of it.
I am truly grateful for their ongoing support and the trust shown in my training and programmes.
Strategic Leadership experience
Having early experience of supporting others in my role as Math’s Consultant for the National Strategies in 2008, I delved into school leadership as a headteacher and then executive headteacher.
During this period, I began to develop a deeper understanding of early literacy and the challenges children face. This period also enabled me to hone my skills of supporting other practitioners.
Leading a school to its best ever Ofsted Inspection, gave me a true understanding of meeting challenges head-on.
Strategic leadership in new territory
After headship, I helped to successfully create and lead the Flying High English hub, whilst also leading Early Reading for the Flying High Trust. Combining my passion for literacy and strategic leadership, ensured that both roles were extremely successful. With significant staff development and outcomes far exceeding the national average, I was able to demonstrate the impact of my support, guidance and leadership.
Since then, I continue in both capacities, but have gone on to create and lead the Literacy Excellence Centre and provide guidance at a National level. In 2025, the successful Priority Literacy programme, which I helped to create and lead, also came to an end. Read the impact report.
Achievements
Working independently as a literacy advisor have been very rewarding. Here are some of the highlights so far:
I continue to write and deliver material for The National College platform and am recognised as one of their experts. Check out the vast number of 5-Star reviews.
Launchpad and Orbital Reading is now implemented in over twenty schools. It has gone from a concept to an approach that is proving to be very successful in schools. Lots of schools in the Flying High Trust use the programme and they are currently the top performing trust in the East Midlands.
In 2023, my phonics programme, Pearl Phonics launched and was validated by the DfE. This was followed up by the launch of Support for Spelling. Having two proven programmes available to schools is still one of my proudest achievements.
In 2024, I became a member of the DfE National English Hub Council and trustee for the Reading Reform Foundation. Both roles provide me with the opportunity to contribute at a National level. In 2025, I also became a member of the DfE Secondary Expert Advisory Group.
Stepping out of the classroom and working independently.
In 2017, as a successful headteacher, I took the brave decision to leave school leadership and follow my passion for literacy. That journey soon enabled me to start my own business.
If you are looking to step out of the classroom and set up a business focused on education, I can offer support and guidance to speed up your journey to developing a successful business. If you have already taken the step but want support and guidance focused on improving your offer, I can help.
From navigating invoices and websites, to shaping and evolving your strategy, I can offer my experience and knowledge to supercharge your ideas.
I offer likeminded colleagues the chance to meet online for a free 15-minute call. From there, I can then outline a bespoke plan for future online coaching and mentoring sessions.
If you are thinking of starting your own business or have already taken the step, please get in touch.
The Galaxy Reading Approach
A range of tools for class wide reading to empower educators and engage students to become better at literacy.
Remote Training
A selection of niche training videos aimed at specific areas, to help improve teaching and also student participation.
In-School Training & Support
In-school or online audits of how literacy programs are being delivered. Providing a plan of action and training to address any areas for improvement.
Support for Spelling
A comprehensive programme for teaching spelling. Built to empower practitioners to teach spelling with confidence.
Pearl Phonics programme
A comprehensive systematic synthetic phonics programme. Low-cost and highly effective.
I thought this session was well thought out, building in complexity well and made excellent wider links for me to follow afterwards. I have just purchased two books off the back of this! Thanks so much.
Chantelle N, Teacher
The Sutton Academy
Carl came into school and provided excellent training and coaching for all my staff. His training gave staff the confidence to teach high quality engaging phonic lessons which has resulted in soaring phonics attainment. My phonics lead commented ‘Carl has transformed our phonics teaching and he has really helped me to lead phonics and support staff more effectively.
Andy Stirland, Principal
Python Hill Academy
Secondary reading: how to support pupils unable to read.
A very clear explanation on how children learn to read, the frustrations some may experience and how the ‘gap’ gets ever wider as they progress through school life if they do not get early help and support.
Jo B, School Staff (Non-teaching)
The James Hornsby School