WHAT PROFESSIONALS IN EDUCATION SAY ABOUT US

School Literacy Improvement Training

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Maida Vale (December 2024)
KSI Team: We would like to thank you both for all of your support and time. Your support and guidance have been invaluable. The children have blossomed and have developed a pleasing confidence in their writing.

St Augustine’s Priory, Ealing (November 2024)
Olivia McLoughlin, Deputy Head Preps and Pre-Preps: Mary and Rose provided a series of excellent training sessions to enable our teachers to assess reading. Not only were teachers shown how to administer Reading Records accurately to track pupil progress and inform classroom practice, they were also trained in the model of ‘the balanced reader’ to counteract an overreliance on phonics and decoding which had impacted pupils’ comprehension. Most significantly, Mary and Rose worked with teachers in the EYFS to explore how to assess younger pupils’ oral literacy before they were ready to access the scheme at Level 1. Both trainers are experts in their field and provide knowledgeable and supportive sessions to support teachers in moving their children’s learning on. I would not hesitate to recommend them.

International School of Ghent, Belgium (September 2024)
Mia Van Cauwelaert, Deputy Head: Thank you for the inspiring inset day. Afterwards, the teachers shared positive feedback with us and have been implanting what they learned in their classrooms.

St Cyprian’s Greek Orthodox Primary School, Thorton Heath (October 2023 – April 2024)
Gareth Thomas, Interim Headteacher: Due to the support of Mary and Rose, OFSTED recognised the following:
– Teaching pupils to read is a high priority
– Staff now use ongoing assessment to identify those pupils who fall behind. Extra tailored support is delivered regularly, including for pupils with SEND.
– Staff now run workshops for parents and carers to help them support their children’s reading at home. As a result, pupils learn to read with confidence and fluency.
– Many children who enter early years require support with their speech and language. Leaders prioritise developing children’s spoken language skills and vocabulary from the start.”

St John Evangelist Catholic Primary School, Islington (March 2021 – September 2023)
Stephanie Maker, Head: Your training has continued to support reading at St John’s, OFSTED recognised the following:
– Reading is prioritised
– Pupils begin learning to read when they start their Reception Year
– Pupils have regular opportunities to practise their reading using books that are closely matched to the sounds they are learning
– All staff receive training to implement the agreed phonics programme, and this is typically delivered with precision
– Those who struggle with reading are quickly identified, and appropriate support is provided
– Pupils, including children in early years, enjoy sharing their school rhymes and stories.

Al-Khair Secondary School (January – March 2023) 
Arif Zaman, English Lead: Following the school’s desire to focus on Year 7 reading, Rose and Mary assessed all pupils to ascertain their writing and deep comprehension skills, oral analysis and critique of a text. “Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated and very helpful”.

Hawksmoor School Thamesmead (February 2021)
Gareth Thomas, Interim Headteacher: Mary and Rose worked tirelessly, offering a highly competitive bespoke package of support. This included the assessment of reading, training teachers and support staff, coaching and modelling of lessons which included planning and resourcing as well as regular parent workshops. The energy, experience and strong subject knowledge that they bring to primary school literacy has been instrumental in the school making rapid progress. I would highly recommend them without any reservation whatsoever.Wellington Primary School, Dubai (September 2019, June 2018, October 2016)

Catherine McKeever, Principal: Mary and Rose have provided the best professional development ever for our staff. Their knowledge of how children learn to read and write is phenomenal. They have had the greatest impact on the quality of the teaching and learning and the children have made outstanding progress. Highly recommended.

GEMS Indian Schools, Dubai (August 2019)
Nargish Khambatta, Vice President Gems Education, Dubai: Every single principal and their team were pleased after your sessions – especially after the second day. Thank you very much for the wonderful professional development opportunity.

August 2019 The Millennium School, Dubai (August 2019)
Ambika Gulati, Principal: Thank you Mary and Rose for your time today. The teachers have obtained valuable insights that will help strengthen our existing processes. We do hope you will continue to support our school.

Althea de Andrade, Head of Primary: The workshop conducted by you today was an enriching experience for our teachers. You helped clarify our doubts and answered all our queries patiently. Your valuable inputs will help us stream line the existing practices. Thank you for assisting us in structure the PM writing curriculum. Team Millennium is extremely grateful to both of you.

GEMS Cambridge International School, Nairobi (April 2018)
Kristian Cejka, Head of Primary: I observed Guided Reading sessions of all of the Primary Teachers. The results are really positive plus the standard of provision is improving. Evidence of the impact of your training.

GEMS Cambridge International School, Nairobi (January 2018)
Scott Webber, Principal: Many thanks indeed for sharing your time and expertise with us all. Not only did we appreciate it but I know that we all learned from the time spent with you too.

Hartland International School Dubai UAE (November 2016)
Nicola Perkins, English Manager: The Poetry Scheme has been launched from FS2 – Year 6. It has been well received by students and parents alike.

GEMS Cambridge International School, Dubai, UAE (September 2016)
Asma Siddiqui, English Manager: Our reading data across the Primary school is showing rising trends when compared to last year at the same point in time.

PM Literacy Assessment (Benchmark) Training in Schools

Scholastic UK
I’d like to thank you very much indeed for your wonderful training sessions. It is always nice to invite experts to present to the group as the reps always get so much out of it, but they really did this time around. You were able to break down what will be delivered in the training session in such a way that we didn’t get any clarifying questions at the end, which is most unusual!

South East Wales Education Achievement Service
The training was well received by the teachers and TAs attending.  The trainers were so knowledgeable and able to give a very ‘on the ground’ perspective, which we valued enormously.

St Marys Primary School, Bristol

Thank you so much for the training this afternoon. I have already received emails from various members of staff saying that they are going to incorporate your ideas and suggestions into their planning which is fantastic!

Greystoke Primary, Narborough 
The training was well paced and engaging.  The knowledge of the trainers was exceptional, and they motivated my staff to want to really understand the system and ask questions. The way the second session built on the first was perfect in enabling staff to have the opportunity to ‘layer’ their learning and understanding.

Milton Primary School, Stoke on Trent
Thank you for the training last night. We found it so beneficial.

Challock Primary School, Ashford
Very productive and helpful training sessions. 5 out of 5.