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 2026 Spring term
For context, as well as having my own business providing school support, training and programmes, I work for the wonderful Flying High Trust.
In 2025, 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 of this work 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. Providing input at the national event was fabulous and I received lots of positive feedback. Attendees really valued my input and the practical nature of the content I shared.
Spring 2026 also saw the launch of the East Midlands Universal RISE offer. Working alongside other colleagues I helped to shape the offer and write various training opportunities and materials. You can view more about the offer here.
More schools continue to join 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. The impact so far has been fabulous and you can read some of the feedback on the website linked above. Spring also saw two new secondary schools join my DfE validated Pearl Phonics program. They saw the value of it and how it could support their students with reading needs.
Finally, it was great to head into various Flying High Partnership schools to help them with early reading. As well as supporting leadership, I get to work with a range of pupils who find reading tricky. I support schools to unpick this and enable them to form a plan for each and every pupil.
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.
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
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.