Meet the Team

^{Colette Duggan - Strategic Lead}

I am thoroughly excited to continue to drive the fantastic work of the English Hub and build on the successes of the past seven years. It is a privilege to work with professionals from such a variety of settings and witness the growth and development of the schools we work with. 

My own background as a secondary English teacher demonstrates my huge passion for empowering all students with the vital life skills of reading, speaking and writing, and ensuring the door is open for them to access the wonderful world of literature. Over my 16 years in education, I have worked in several settings across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, holding a variety of roles including Head of English, Lead Practitioner and most recently Assistant Headteacher. In each of these roles, I have embraced the opportunity to support colleagues to fulfil their professional potential at each stage of their career and to equip young people with a life-long love of reading.

^{Sophie Hirst - Hub Lead}

I am primary-trained, with a strong foundation in literacy development and a passion for improving outcomes for all learners. My most recent experience includes working for L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub as Teaching and Learning Lead, where I supported schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) across a range of settings—including Primary, SEND, Alternative Provision, and Secondary—in the effective teaching of reading and writing.

 As part of this role, I led a team of writing specialists, supporting schools across Lincolnshire and beyond, providing targeted, high-impact support in the form of audits and professional development. In addition, I have served as a local authority writing moderator for seven years, offering quality assurance and expert guidance in writing assessment at the end of Key Stage 2. I am thrilled to continue to develop these professional relationships within the role of English Hub lead.

 I have also had the privilege to lead ECF at L.E.A.D. Teaching School Hub, evidencing my passion to support teachers at every stage of their career to develop their practice to improve outcomes.  

 Combined with a real love of literature and an understanding of the importance of quality and engaging texts, I look forward to working with schools to develop and promote a love of reading and support the provision of excellent phonics and early language teaching.

^{Susanna Craddock - Literacy Specialist}

I am an experienced teacher of 18 years. I am currently teaching across F1 and F2 but have taught in KS1 and Lower KS2. Early Years education is my passion, which is why most of my teaching career has been in EYFS (F2) and Year One. Over the course of my career I have been extremely fortunate in experiencing many additional roles, including mentoring student teachers and teachers early in their careers, both within my own schools and through my recent role as an ITT phonics tutor and ITT programme tutor. In addition, I have supported other teachers and settings through EYFS moderation visits and as an SLE in EYFS, I have supported numerous schools in developing their provision to improve outcomes for their children. I am currently studying a certificate in non-directive play therapy at Leeds Beckett University.

^{Jackie Mawer - Literacy Specialist}

My name is Jackie Mawer and I am proud to be a Literacy Specialist and part of an amazing team of like-minded teachers at Witham St Hughs English Hub. I have taught mainly in Early Years and Key Stage One for over 30 years in several schools across Lincolnshire and have been a Phonics and Reading Leader. I believe that learning to read provides the key to success and no child should ever be left behind, regardless of background or circumstances. I love supporting schools and working alongside passionate and positive staff who are invested in making a difference to our children’s futures. There is still nothing better than hearing a child say, ‘I can read!’ for the first time and believing in themselves as a reader.

^{Debbie McKay - Literacy Specialist}

Hello, my name is Debbie and I'm extremely proud to be a Witham St Hugh's Literacy Specialist.

I started teaching in 1992, and during that time I have been lucky enough to experience teaching in every year group from Nursery through to Year 6. 

Leadership roles during my career have included EYFS Lead, Phonics Lead, English Lead, Teaching and Learning Lead and Deputy Headteacher.

Having worked in a school with extremely high levels of deprivation, SEND and mobility, it was so important to ensure that our whole team remained relentlessly determined that ALL children would learn to read (and choose to read) despite any barriers they faced.

I'm incredibly privileged to now have the opportunity to support schools in making a difference to the lives of their pupils.

Finally, I'm committed to and passionate about developing the confidence, knowledge and skills of every Reading Leader I work with; helping them to build their team of expert reading teachers.

^{Lynne Rocks - Literacy Specialist}

My name is Lynne Rocks and I am part of the fabulous Witham St Hughs English Hub Team.  I have worked in education for 30 years and have extensive experience in teaching EYFS and KS1 children. I have been very lucky to work with a variety of children and adults from a range of settings and backgrounds, all of which have proven very rewarding. My career has been interesting and diverse, with many years working as an A.S.T. followed by S.L.E. work, SCITT mentoring and supporting other teachers and school settings in many varied roles.

Being part of Witham St Hughs English Hub is special. It is a privilege to be part of a team who work relentlessly to improve the life chances of children in the East Midlands area by ensuring that “every child is a reader”. The evidence is unarguably clear to see!

^{Hannah Younger -Literacy Specialist}

Hello, I am Hannah Younger and I work at Witham St Hughs Academy. I have 14 years teaching experience and I am currently EYFS, KS1, Phonics and Reading Leader at Witham St Hughs Academy. I am extremely passionate about my role as Phonics and Reading Lead as I strongly believe in the importance of early reading for all children.  I am fully committed to inspiring a love of reading in children and ensuring that all children are confident, fluent and lifelong readers. I feel very privileged to be working in my role as Literacy Specialist for Witham St Hughs English Hub where I get to work alongside other expert Reading Leaders.

^{Claire Savage - Literacy Specialist} 

My name is Claire Savage and I am a Literacy Specialist for the wonderful Witham St Hughs English Hub Team. I have been teaching for 20 years and I am Head of School at Branston Church of England Infant Academy. My role includes English and Phonics Lead in FS and KS1.  

I am incredibly passionate about ensuring that all children become fluent, confident readers so that they can access all areas of the curriculum and flourish in every aspect of their learning. I believe that reading should be at the heart of every school and every curriculum so that children can develop a genuine love of reading which will last a lifetime. 

^{Emma Byers - Literacy Specialist}

Hello, I am Emma Byers and I have spent the majority of my career at a large primary school in Lincoln. I have over 20 years of Early Years and Key Stage 1 experience. My passion for teaching the youngest children and enabling them to have a love of books, combined with working in an area of high deprivation gives me a solid understanding of how unlocking that ability to read, not only underpins all of their learning, but will increase their life chances. I am also passionate about reading for pleasure, developing lifelong readers and children's literature, seeing that love of books ripple throughout the full school and linking to all areas of the curriculum fills me with excitement!

^{Laura Beesley - Literacy Specialist}

Hello, my name is Laura Beesley and I am a KS1 teacher and Phonics Lead at Pinchbeck East Church of England Primary Academy. It is my firm belief that all children are capable of learning to read and are entitled to know how to read well. It fills me with excitement knowing the wealth of opportunities reading unlocks for children. Reading is imperative in enabling children to access the curriculum and explore the lives of different characters naturally leading to the expansion of their own experiences, world and aspirations. 

Over my 10 years of teaching, it has been my passion to support and inspire adults to develop their own skills in the teaching of phonics and recently to support schools in the development of their early reading provision. I feel privileged to work with a wonderful team of Literacy Specialists, who strive for all children to leave primary school with a love of reading, and the essential skills needed to become inspired, curious and life-long readers.

^{Kirsty Dawson - Literacy Specialist}

^{Lynne Smith - Literacy Specialist}

I am the Senior Teacher and Reading, Writing and Phonics Lead at St Nicholas CE Primary Academy in Boston, a vibrant and diverse school community where over 22 languages are spoken. With more than twenty years of experience teaching across the primary age range, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child becomes a confident and fluent reader—no matter when they join our school.

At St Nicholas, we make a clear promise: from the moment a child arrives, they will begin their journey to reading success. I am passionate about the belief that every child can and will learn to read. Reading is not just a skill—it is the key that unlocks a world of possibilities, knowledge, and lifelong learning.

I have witnessed first-hand the transformative impact systematic phonics can have on children’s lives. The journey our school has been on, with the support of our own literacy specialist, has been truly transformational. It has inspired me deeply, and I am proud to now be working as a literacy specialist myself. I look forward to supporting other schools on their journey and helping them achieve the same lasting impact for their pupils.

^{Katie Coomber - Literacy Specialist}

My name is Katie Coomber, I am thrilled and deeply privileged to be joining the amazing Witham St Hugh’s English Hub team as a Literacy Specialist. With 15 years of teaching experience, I've had the pleasure of working in Yorkshire, Scotland, and currently at Horncastle Primary in Lincolnshire. I'm incredibly proud to be part of a school team that truly prioritises reading, and I'm eager for the chance to help build other expert teams. My experience as a partner school has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the journey to success. While I've taught across Foundation Stage, KS1, and KS2, Early Years truly holds my passion. I also bring experience as an EYFS Lead and I am currently our school's Phonics Lead.

I love my profession and find immense satisfaction in watching children engage with and enjoy reading. My consistent aspiration is for every child to develop a lifelong love of reading by establishing strong phonic knowledge that they can confidently apply across the entire curriculum. I firmly believe that every child can and will become a fluent and competent reader.

^{Sinead McCann - Literacy Specialist}

My name is Sinead McCann and I am proud to be working as part of the Witham St Hughs English Hub team. I am a Year 1 teacher and Phonics and Reading Lead at Reepham Church of England Primary School. I have always been passionate about Phonics and understanding how children learn to read. I strongly believe in the importance of ensuring that all children can read so that it is not a barrier to their learning and future life experiences. I am excited to work with schools to ensure all children have an excellent start in their reading journey through the provision of high-quality Phonics, whilst promoting a love of reading.

^{Carrieanne Nicolson - English Hub Co-ordinator}

Hello, I am Carrieanne Nicolson and I am the English Hub Co-ordinator. I have worked with the English Hub since the beginning of the programme in 2019. I am privileged to be part of such a fantastic School Improvement programme and thoroughly enjoy supporting our Partner Schools and Medium Level Schools to access a wide range of training opportunities to develop their Early Reading (phonics), Early Language and Reading for Pleasure provision within their schools. Prior to this role, I worked as an administrator at Witham St Hughs Academy and loved nothing more than being part of a school environment and seeing children thrive and achieve. 

^{Jody Robertson - Administrator}

Hello, I am Jody Robertson and I am the Witham St Hughs English Hub Accelerator Funding Administrator. I have 6 years experience as a Teaching Assistant within both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.

As a Teaching Assistant I have been proud to be part of children’s reading journeys as they learn to read. The most rewarding aspect is to hear them develop into confident, fluent readers. It is a privilege to witness the spark in children’s eyes as their love for reading blossoms.