Drama alumna Tara shares funding opportunities to support reading in schools

TARA DODSON: BA (Hons) Drama 2005-2008

Knowledge Schools Trust (KST) English Hubs Lead

"I finished my degree in Drama Studies and then worked in fashion before deciding to complete my Primary PGCE in 2012. I taught throughout Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Key Stage 2 (KS2). During this time I realised my real passion for teaching English and Reading. I led a variety of subjects in different schools before being made Reading Lead where I devised a curriculum for Reading throughout a school and supported other schools with the development of their curriculums. I went through the threshold after becoming a Middle Leader. After two years of leading Reading I was made a Leading Teacher in partnership with a local teaching school. A year later the role of English Hub Lead came up and it felt like an exciting next step. I am about to begin my National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)."

"The Hubs project supports schools with the development of their phonics and early Reading teaching. We are able to offer funding of up to £6,000 to purchase high quality resources that will match your chosen Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) and also work for your school and children. We also offer free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions and specialist support. Our partner schools, who we work more intensively with, are given a dedicated Literacy Specialist who is an expert in their chosen phonics programme. The aims of the Hub allow schools to closely match their provision with the new Ofsted framework to ensure that all children are making speedy progress, including the lowest twenty per cent. The additional time spent with our Literacy Specialist gives the Reading Lead purposeful and effective strategies for leading their subject with confidence and impacting change within their school."

There are 34 schools who host English Hubs and you can find out who your local English Hub is here: http://www.englishhubs.org/

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