Meet the team

Rosie Condon

Rosie has worked in primary education in London for over 20 years. Her love and knowledge of reading and literacy has been a constant throughout her career. She taught for 11 years in an outstanding Hackney school, initially as a Literacy Lead before becoming Deputy Head and Head of School.

Currently, Rosie works on the Destination Reader and Daily Supported Reading team in Hackney Education. As part of her role, she develops, trains and supports primary reading working closely with schools in Hackney and beyond, and develops and supports leaders to model and build effective teaching. She has also successfully completed her NPQH and trained as a Reading Recovery teacher, furthering her knowledge and understanding of reading skills and attainment. 

Emma Burton

Emma has 19 years experience within primary education and currently works as an Associate Deputy Head Teacher and Primary Maths Consultant in Hackney. Having worked with Hackney Education for 8 years, she supports schools and settings with her maths expertise, focusing on raising standards and improving outcomes for all children in mathematics.

Prior to this, Emma was a specialist Maths teacher, mentor and trainer across the primary age phase. She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Maths Specialist Teaching, and understands the importance of developing pupils as mathematical-thinkers and independent problem-solvers. Emma’s other responsibilities include primary maths and science training, Appropriate Body work, ECT training and Raising Achievement co-ordination.

Kathleen O’Connor

Kathleen has worked for over 25 years in primary schools in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Australia as a senior leader, governor and subject lead on various areas of the curriculum. She currently works as an Associate Deputy Headteacher and Teaching and Learning Consultant for Hackney Education, advising on Primary Literacy and working intensively with schools to support leadership and train, monitor and coach teachers and literacy-leads. 

Kathleen worked with a group of Hackney teachers to develop a KS2 model for teaching reading called ’Hackney Loves Reading.’ This became ‘Destination Reader’, a programme now used in 200+ schools across England and abroad. Kathleen works with colleagues to oversee the development of the approach through training and ongoing support for schools. She has also worked strategically to improve reading in other local authorities and academy trusts, and has worked with schools in London and Sussex as part of the School Strategic Improvement Fund.

Joanna Murray

Jo has worked in education settings for over 20 years. Since graduating in Media Communications, she has worked on various projects, ranging from company CPD to University recruitment within the UK and internationally. 

Jo joined Hackney Education’s School Improvement Team in 2008 and is currently a Project Officer for Hackney’s literacy projects, Destination Reader, Daily Supported Reading and The Lit Programme, used by schools across the UK, China and Denmark. She works with colleagues to ensure a high level of support across all aspects of the programmes, as well as projects funded as part of the School Strategic Improvement Fund and the Education Endowment Foundation.

Marlene Wylie

Marlene works across a wide variety of regional and national organisations. Having trained originally as a textiles designer she has taught art, craft and design in schools at primary and secondary level for over 20 years. Operating in a strategic and co-ordinating role has resulted in the forging of professional relationships and contacts at key institutions in the field of Art, Craft and Design advocacy. She is recognised as a Consultant Member of the National Society of Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) as well as The Design & Technology Association (DATA) and having served as Vice President for (NSEAD) continues to support the growth and objectives of these organisations through a network of school meetings, events and activities across the country.

Jo Tupman

Jo has over 20 years' experience working in inner London primary and secondary schools, most recently as Headteacher in a twelve-form entry secondary school in Barking and Dagenham. She currently works as a Leadership and Management Adviser in Hackney Education across both primary and secondary age phases. 

Jo’s areas of expertise include SEND, Inclusion, Primary and Secondary curriculum links and leadership coaching and training.

Anya James

Anya has worked within Post-16 Education in Havering, Waltham Forest and Hackney as a classroom teacher, departmental leader and senior leader. Her teaching specialism is Social Sciences; with particular focus on developing best practice within A Level pedagogy and curriculum planning, including the restructuring of vocational courses to ensure inclusion and success for all learners.  

Currently, Anya works as the Senior Advisor for Post 16 Education in Hackney. Here she leads the provision for Post-16 support and advice, developing, extending and broadening the range of academic, vocational and technical pathways for our young people. She facilitates and coordinates the implementation and exchange of best practice across schools and colleges to ensure that Hackney continues to provide one of the best education offers in London.

Jonathan Reid

Jonathan has worked on the Post-16 team in Hackney Education for 8 years. Prior to this, his experience spans youth work, careers, publishing and the arts, including his work with the Connexions career service in Moss Side, Manchester, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and as a database manager for a school in central London.

Jonathan specialises in supporting all Hackney’s Post-16 products and services for KS5, working to foster a sense of community between schools and colleges by organising Post-16 networks, training and events. Central to his role is the coordination of Post-16 project activity, including managing local initiatives, building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders and schools, and embedding positive cultures and collaborative ways of working.

Debra Robinson

Debra has taught across North and East London for over 20 years in secondary schools, most recently at a Hackney academy rated Outstanding by Ofsted. She has a range of experience in curriculum and parental engagement, both at whole school and community level. Debra also led a successful English department and as an Advanced Skills Teacher in North London where she implemented a range of literacy initiatives, and has been instrumental in leading teaching and learning strategies across schools and developing teachers to move from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’ . 

Debra’s experience and understanding of the lived and professional experience in Hackney has been extremely valuable for her role in Hackney Education. Here she works with a broad range of stakeholders and as a professional advisor to schools and parent groups to foster positive relationships. 

Laleh Laverick

Laleh is a Leadership and Management Adviser with over 20 years experience working in inner city primary schools, including as an Executive Headteacher. She also worked as a National Leader of Education linked to a Teaching School where she supported Women Leading in Education and BAME leadership programmes. Prior to this, she worked in a range of roles, many of them in the field of inclusion and curriculum development, and served as a school governor. 
 
In recent years, she has supported school leaders through management and system changes. Laleh believes that schools are at their best when their vision and ethos are clearly communicated by school leaders to all stakeholders and the culture of schools is one of high ambition for their communities. Laleh has published articles in the Chartered College of Teaching’s journal and in journals on Early Years Education.