ABOUT

Tom is an experienced Secondary Education English Adviser and Specialist Leader of Education with expertise in raising standards of whole-school English teaching, learning, performance and progress.

A former Assistant Head Teacher and five-times English Curriculum Leader, Tom has helped to improve Progress and Outcomes at under-performing schools/academies across the country and he specializes at working within exceptionally challenging timescales and circumstances.

Over the last 18 years, Tom's logical and methodical approach to English in Secondary Education [as a post-BA diagnosed Dyslexic] has helped to empower teachers and students alike and enabled schools/academies to raise their GCSE results to record levels. 

Tom is the Founder and Director of the English teaching and learning web-application, EdenFiftyOne: an interactive and user-friendly digital platform that clarifies, teaches, tracks and shares the demands of GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature examinations, for teachers and their students. In harmony with all GCSE exam boards, EdenFiftyOne sits beneath and supports all curriculum types: promoting a clear and logical approach to English teaching and learning that has never previously been utilized... 

TESTIMONIALS

Tom sees English in a unique way. His greatest skill is his ability to demystify the teaching and learning of English and literacy, and to promote progress through true logic and clarity. I have known Tom for over 10 years and he has been a totally outstanding and inspirational teacher, as well as a successful, visionary leader of several English departments.

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James Kerfoot, Head Teacher, Accrington Academy, Lancashire

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An English consultant of the highest quality. Tom's expertise, experience and personable nature enable him to provide clear, concise and effective strategies, from the classroom to the exam hall. His unique, methodical approach to English teaching and learning undoubtedly helped our staff and students to achieve their 'best-ever' English GCSE results. 

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Sam Williams, Head Teacher, Merchants' Academy, Bristol

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Tom offers a unique perspective on the teaching of English with his emphasis on English specialists embracing the methodical process behind teaching and learning.  This was very well received by the teachers with whom he worked. I employed Tom as an English consultant when I had a similar role with another Academy Trust. I have kept touch with him ever since, and will certainly be using him again as part of the Trust CPD support programme for our academies. Tom was a highly successful teacher, head of department and senior leader in challenging educational environments, and thus has the credibility that comes from having such a record of success. As a consultant, he is lively and charismatic with the ability to relate to his audience; the feedback from his sessions was excellent. Tom is totally at home with all aspects of English teaching, and also related leadership and management, and is very versatile in what he can offer.

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Tony Stephens, Professional Development Manager, Co-operative Academies Trust

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It has been a pleasure to work with Tom. His clear-sighted and focused approach to both the English Language and English Literature exams has enormously benefitted both staff and student development. In the classroom, Tom is an immediately engaging and effective practitioner – students commented how he quickly demystified the exam and were overwhelmingly positive about his relatable and informative approach. Similarly, staff were also very impressed (and their teaching positively influenced) by Tom’s precise and well-considered approach to exams. Tom has also helped me and other senior leaders with the strategic direction of the department; providing empathetic but decisive short and long-term advice and guidance within a clear framework. 

Rhys Shercliff, Assistant Principal [Director of English], Ormiston Park Academy, Essex

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We enlisted Tom’s services as a means of addressing under-achievement in boys in English. However, he provided us with so much more than that. During his visit, Tom took the time to fully understand the nature of the department (both the skills we have and the challenges we face) and the dynamics within the school. His advice was both supportive and precise.

Terry Freelander, Head of English, Ormiston Rivers Academy, Essex

Tom has been a reassuring, non-judgmental and consistently helpful presence during his visits to our faculty. His experience and sound guidance have been invaluable during a time of great transition. The impact of Tom’s advice has been immediate and resulted in a much sharper focus on teaching and learning across the faculty.

Caroline Hirons, Interim Head of English, Ninestiles School, Birmingham

An excellent review with simple and no-nonsense advice and strategies given. A very prompt turnaround with the written report. Tom is straight to the point and his current understanding of his subject, Ofsted and school improvement is exceptional.

Fiona Aris, Senior Vice Principal, The Ellis Guilford School, Nottingham

School/Academy
Support Services:

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4-Stage, 'Deep-Dive' Department Review and Strategic Action Plan

Comprehensive evaluation;
summative report and step-by-step action plan of departmental priorities:

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1. Progress in Practice: Classroom Teaching and Learning

2. Aspiration, Inspiration, and Building the Right Curriculum

3. Written-Work Assurance

4. Departmental Data Diagnosis

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GCSE Intervention Programmes

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GCSE 'Walking-Talking-Mocks'

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Subject Leader Development and Specialist Teacher/Leader Training

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Line-Management Training for Non-Specialist Senior Leaders

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Key-Note Speaking

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Bespoke Secondary Education Services