Meet the Team

Lindsey is the Strategic Lead for the English Hub and the CEO of One Excellence Multi Academy Trust. Lindsey is passionate about literacy and believes it is the cornerstone of the entire curriculum. Lindsey has created an exceptional team of practitioners across the Multi Academy Trust, who all share in this belief. She has striven to support those who work with her by providing the highest quality professional development and the opportunity to flourish. This is why the English Hub project is so intrinsic to her mindset: everyone can learn, we can all improve. Life is learning.

Lindsey is determined to ensure that One Excellence English Hub inspires and supports schools across the North East to have the highest standards in early reading so that every child in our region will become a confident and fluent reader.

Beth Dawson is Executive Headteacher at St. Michael’s C of E Primary School and Evenwood C of E Primary School. Over her career, she has worked across all key stages, leading the development and implementation of the curriculum and ensuring that rigorous monitoring systems are in place to raise standards in teaching and learning. As curriculum lead, Beth has consistently focused on improving outcomes for pupils, underpinned by her role as an ELE to ensure that decisions are evidence-informed.

Beth also set up the primary section of Durham SCITT and was SCITT lead for four years. In this role, she supported the development of ITT, observed trainee teachers, built effective relationships with schools and mentors and delivered training.

She is an experienced senior leader with a proven track record of supporting schools. She has areas of expertise in leadership development, staff development, improving teaching and learning, effective professional development, and embedding a strong reading culture.

Beth is currently a member of the English Hub Council and the Early Language Working Group, where she contributes to shaping national priorities and supporting schools to strengthen early reading and language provision.

Abby Moore is one of the Deputy Headteachers at St. Michael’s Church of England Primary School, where she leads on all aspects of literacy across the school. With extensive experience teaching across the full primary age range, Abby brings a deep understanding of early language development, phonics, reading, and writing progression.

Abby has also played a key role in developing future teachers, having supported SCITT students as a mentor, sharing effective practice and supporting high‑quality teacher training.

Within One Excellence English Hub, Abby works as Hub Lead, supporting schools to strengthen early language provision, improve phonics outcomes and promote a love of reading. She is a Literacy Specialist and a member of the hub audit team, working closely with schools to identify strengths, areas for development and next steps for improvement.

In addition, Abby supports the delivery of professional development (CPD) across the hub, sharing evidence‑based practice and practical strategies to support teachers and leaders in improving early literacy outcomes for all pupils.

Abby is passionate about ensuring that every child develops the literacy skills they need to thrive, and she is committed to working collaboratively with schools across the region to achieve this.

Natalie Jemmeson is one of the Deputy Headteachers at St. Michael’s Church of England Primary School, where she plays a key role in leading teaching and learning across the school. She has extensive experience teaching across the full primary age range, giving her a strong understanding of progression and effective practice from Early Years through to Key Stage 2.

Alongside her role in school, Natalie works as a Mastery Specialist for the Maths Hub, supporting high‑quality maths teaching and learning through mastery approaches. She is also the mentor lead at St. Michael’s, providing guidance and support for trainee teachers and Early Career Teachers (ECTs), and playing an important role in developing future teachers and leaders.

Natalie supports the work of the One Excellence English Hub by contributing to its leadership and delivery. This year, she has begun supporting the Hub’s professional development offer, working collaboratively to ensure high‑impact training rooted in strong classroom practice.

As a Literacy Specialist, Natalie is particularly passionate about reading and early literacy. She is a member of the audit team, supporting schools to review and strengthen their literacy provision and ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils.

James is a Literacy Specialist. James is Curriculum Lead for One Excellence Multi Academy Trust. In his role, he helps develop curriculum, raise standards in teaching and learning and support all stakeholders in schools. He is an experienced teacher and works closely with staff from all key stages providing support and development for teaching and learning as well as leadership. His knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and how to ensure children obtain their potential within its framework is outstanding.

James has a particular specialism in English and with his extensive oversight of the curriculum has supported schools in developing their wider opportunities for reading high quality and pertinent books which are highly acclaimed and relevant for specific age groups.

Helen Edney previously worked as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Lead at St. Michael’s C of E Primary School and continues to support EYFS provision in an advisory role. She currently oversees and supports EYFS Leads across two settings, providing strategic guidance and ensuring strong, consistent practice in early years education.

Laurie Kidd is the EYFS Trust Leader for One Excellence Multi Academy Trust and a highly experienced EYFS teacher, with a strong track record of improving early reading outcomes for young children.

James is the Deputy Headteacher at Evenwood Church of England Primary School, where he leads on curriculum development. He has taught across the full primary age range, giving him a strong understanding of progression, pedagogy, and effective practice across subjects.

Alongside his school leadership role, James is the Primary Lead for Durham SCITT. In this role, he leads on continuing professional development (CPD), observes and supports trainee teachers, and plays a key role in the development and mentoring of school‑based mentors, ensuring high‑quality training and support for future teachers.

James is also a Mastery Specialist for the Maths Hub. As part of this role, he developed Maths Oracy training, which is now being delivered nationally, supporting teachers to strengthen mathematical language, reasoning, and pupil understanding.

Within One Excellence English Hub, James works as a Literacy Specialist and is a member of the audit team, supporting schools to evaluate and improve early reading provision. He also contributes to the delivery of CPD, drawing on his extensive experience in curriculum leadership, professional development, and evidence‑based practice.

James is passionate about improving outcomes for all pupils through high‑quality teaching, strong professional learning, and collaborative school‑to‑school support.

Charlotte Hill is the Deputy Headteacher at Pentland Primary School and an experienced Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENCO).

In her leadership role, Charlotte works to ensure that high‑quality teaching and inclusive practice are embedded across the school, with a strong focus on meeting the needs of all learners. Her expertise as a SENCO supports the development of effective provision, early identification of need, and tailored approaches that enable children to make progress from their individual starting points.

Charlotte brings a deep understanding of how inclusive strategies and high‑quality classroom practice can support pupils’ language development, reading, and wider learning. She is committed to ensuring that all children, including those with additional needs, have equitable access to the curriculum and the opportunity to succeed.

Katie Morgan works at St Mark’s Primary School, where she supports the leadership and development of literacy across the school. She has taught across the full primary age range, giving her a strong understanding of effective teaching and progression in reading and writing from early years through to Key Stage 2.

Katie plays a key role in strengthening literacy practice, supporting colleagues to implement high‑quality approaches that improve outcomes for all pupils. Her experience enables her to work collaboratively with teachers to refine teaching, assessment, and curriculum design.

Within One Excellence English Hub, Katie is a Literacy Specialist and a member of the audit team. In this role, she works alongside schools to review current practice, identify strengths and priorities, and support improvement in early language and reading provision.

Katie is committed to ensuring that every child receives high‑quality literacy teaching and develops the skills, confidence, and enjoyment needed to become a successful reader and writer.

Nic Bourner works at St Michael’s Church of England Primary School, where she is the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Lead. In this role, Nic supports the delivery of high‑quality early provision, ensuring strong foundations in language, learning, and development.

Alongside her EYFS leadership role, Nic has taken on the position of Phonics Lead, working closely with the school’s Literacy Lead to further develop and strengthen literacy across the school. Her work focuses on ensuring that phonics provision is consistent, systematic, and effective, supporting children to become confident early readers.

Nic is a Literacy Specialist within One Excellence English Hub and is part of the hub audit team. In this role, she works alongside schools to review early language and reading practice, identify strengths and priorities, and support improvements in phonics and early literacy provision.

She is passionate about early reading, high‑quality provision, and collaborative working, and is committed to supporting schools to ensure that all children get the best possible start in their literacy journey.

Emily Urwin is an experienced Key Stage 2 teacher at St. Michael’s Church of England Primary School, with teaching experience across the full primary age range. This breadth of experience gives her a strong understanding of curriculum progression and pupils’ learning from Early Years through to upper Key Stage 2.

Emily leads on multiple curriculum areas within the school, supporting the development of high‑quality teaching and learning. In her role as Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), she works closely with staff and families to ensure inclusive practice, effective identification of need and appropriate provision for pupils with SEND.

She has significant experience supporting pupils in Key Stage 2 to develop reading fluency, alongside targeted work to strengthen phonics skills for older readers who require additional support. Emily is passionate about ensuring that all children are supported to become confident, capable readers.

As part of her ongoing professional development, Emily is currently working alongside Lindsey Vollans to deepen her knowledge and understanding of secondary schools, supporting effective transition and continuity for pupils as they move beyond primary education.

Ben Nicholson is an experienced Key Stage 2 teacher at Evenwood Church of England Primary School, with teaching experience across the full primary age range. This breadth of experience gives him a strong understanding of curriculum progression and how children develop their learning from Early Years through to upper Key Stage 2.

Ben leads on multiple curriculum areas, supporting the development of high‑quality teaching and learning across the school. He has particular experience in supporting pupils in Key Stage 2 to develop reading fluency, ensuring children become confident, accurate and expressive readers.

In addition, Ben has supported older pupils to develop and secure phonics skills, working with children who require targeted support to strengthen decoding and reading strategies.

As part of his ongoing professional development, Ben is working alongside Lindsey Vollans to develop his knowledge and understanding of secondary schools, helping to strengthen transition and continuity in pupils’ learning as they move from primary into the next phase of education.