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.
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 here.
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 here
–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 provides me with the opportunity to contribute at a National level. In 2025, I also became a member of the DfE Secondary Expert Advisory Group.
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.
What do people think about The Literacy Advisor?
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
I felt our children were well prepared for the KS2 SATs spelling this year and we had only been using Support for Spelling for two terms. Excellent support from Carl too.
Mel, Teacher
The Pinxton Academies
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
