Meet the Team

The ethos of Whiteknights is that we nurture each individual and help them to grow in greatness. We aim to provide outstanding educational opportunities that develop happy, confident pupils who have the skills to be successful lifelong learners, and are able to fulfil their ambitions.

We will do this by:

• Maintaining a focus on attaining high standards at the heart of all that we do;
• Providing pupils with quality experiences and opportunities;
• Providing outstanding leadership, including governance.

Emma has worked in Early Years and Key Stage One since 2010. Emma joined the English Hub team as a Literacy Specialist in 2019. She led Early Years and specialised in Floppy’s Phonics at another local primary school before becoming the English Hub Lead at Whitekights English Hub.

SSP Specialties: Read, Write Inc, Little Wandle, Rocket Phonics, Floppy’s Phonics, Essential Letters and Sounds and Twinkl Phonics.

She will be:

• Leading the development of the English Hub alongside several other Literacy Specialists;
• Co-ordinating the provision of Specialist Leaders of Education in schools that require and request our support;
• Running showcase events aimed at Headteachers, KS1 teachers and Reading Leaders.
• Completing audits of phonics and reading provision in schools; and
• Delivering the Supporting Early Language Development Course

Poonam Kaur is our Hub administrator and is responsible for coordinating the English Hub activities. She will be managing event bookings, assisting with funding and financial matters and responding to general enquiries.

Jos joined Whiteknights in 2020 with vast experience in both KS1 and KS2. She was a Senior Leader in schools in Surrey for over 10 years before joining the English Hub. Jos was responsible for leading reading at two schools within the academy trust.

SSP specialties: Read, Write Inc, Little Wandle, SuperSonic Phonic Friends and Bug Club Phonics 

She will be:

• Running showcase events aimed at Headteachers, KS1 teachers and Reading Leaders;
• Completing audits of phonics and reading provision in schools
• Offering intensive support in schools; and
• Delivering the Transforming Schools Reading Culture course.

Alice has been working in schools since 1999 and joined Whiteknights English Hub in September 2021 with a wealth of experience across Key Stages 1, 2 and 3, and SEND provision

SSP specialties: Read, Write Inc, Essential Letters and Sounds, Little Wandle and Lesley Clarke

She will be:

• Completing audits of phonics and reading provision in schools; 
• Delivering online CPD and
• Delivering the Reading Ambition for All: teaching children who need the most support including SEND course 

Laura has been teaching since 2008 and joined Whiteknights English Hub in September 2024 with a wealth of experience across both Key Stage 1 and 2, and has successfully implemented and led phonics in junior schools.

SSP specialties: Read, Write Inc, Little Wandle, Anima Phonics and Phonic Shed and Lesley Clarke

She will be:

• Completing audits of phonics and reading provision in schools; and
• Offering intensive support in schools; and
• Delivering the Reading Fluency: The Bridge to Comprehension course

Mariah has been teaching since 2018 across Key Stages 1 and 2. She joined Whiteknights English Hub in September 2025 as the Secondary Literacy Specialist

SSP specialities: RWI Fresh Start and Little Wandle Rapid Catch Up

She will be:

• Completing audits of reading of the lowest 20% in secondary schools
• Offering intensive support to secondary schools

Emma joined Whitekngihts English Hub at the beginning in 2018. She has a wealth of experience across EYFS and KS1. Emma is one of the SENCOs at Whiteknights Primary School.

SSP Specialities: Read, Write Inc and Twinkl Phonics

Kate joined Whiteknights English Hub in September 2024. She is the Key Stage 1 teaching and learning lead and RWI Lead at Francis Baily Primary School. Kate has a wealth of knowledge and expertise of teaching phonics and early reading, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups.

SSP Specialities: Read, Write Inc, Little Wandle, Floppy’s Phonics

Kristin joined the Whiteknights English Hub in September 2021. She is the Lower Phase Leader and Reading Leader at Castlefield School. Kristin has a wealth phonics knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups.

SSP Specialities: Read, Write Inc and Monster Phonics

Naomi joined Whiteknights English Hub in September 2024. She is the Assistant Headteacher at Thorpe C of E Primary School. Naomi has a wealth of Rocket Phonics, Essential Letters and Sounds and RWI knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups.

SSP Specialities: Rocket Phonics, Read, Write Inc and Essential Letters and Sounds

Nicky started working for Whiteknights English Hub in September 2023. Nicky is the Deputy Headteacher at Great Hollands Primary School. Nicky has a wealth phonics knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups.

SSP Specialities; Read, Write Inc and Little Wandle

Sarah joined the Whiteknights English Hub in September 2022. She is an external consultant, working with lots of schools on their phonics and early reading journey. Sarah has a wealth of phonics and early reading knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups in small schools.

SSP Specialities: Read, Write Inc, Essential Letters and Sounds and Little Wandle

Sarah joined the Whiteknights English Hub in September 2021. She is an Assistant Headteacher and Reading Leader as well as a Year 1 teacher at Gorse Ride Infants School. Sarah has a wealth of RWI knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups.

SSP Specialities: Read, Write Inc

Sarah joined the Whiteknights English Hub in September 2024. She is the Phonics Leader and Year 1 teacher at Aston Clinton School. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups and introducing a new scheme within the school.

SSP Specialities: Little Wandle and Bug Club Phonics

Sophie joined Whiteknights English Hub in September 2024. She is the Phonics Leader as well as a Year 1 teacher at Wallace Field Infant School. Sophie has a wealth of phonics and early reading knowledge and expertise, especially working with the weakest readers across all year groups.

SSP Specialities: Little Wandle