Our Founders
A shared passion for making a difference
Our founders’ partnership began with taking synthetic phonics online as part of the Covid-19 emergency in 2020. This work was recognised in the 2020 Honours list, in which they were each awarded an MBE for services to education.
Their successful partnership rapidly developed into creation of the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) programme which was validated by the Department for Education in 2021.
Mark Siswick MBE
Mark is Co-CEO of Wandle Learning Trust, a cross-phase Multi Academy Trust in South West London, and the Executive Headteacher for its primary schools, including Chesterton Primary, which has played a lead role in the development of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.
Mark also heads up Wandle Learning Partnership, which has strategic oversight of the work of Wandle Teaching School Hub, Wandle English Hub and the London South West Maths Hub. Most recently, Mark has been an active member of the DfE’s Teaching School Hubs Council, and has been instrumental in developing the strategic vision for teacher and curriculum development across the Hubs network.
He is passionate about working across schools and with experts and organisations to come up with new and innovative ways to improve primary education and standards. He has a particular interest in working with disadvantaged communities.
Rachel Davis MBE
Rachel’s career in education spans 36 years, 20 of those as a headteacher of Little Sutton Primary School, an outstanding school in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and also 12 years as an Ofsted Inspector. She has been a National Leader for Education supporting schools in challenging circumstances to significantly raise their standards and maintain them. Rachel has up to date knowledge of educational research, a keen interest in action research and experience of writing research papers and national guidance.
With considerable expertise and experience in English and development of reading, Rachel is Strategic Lead for the Little Sutton English Hub and has been a member of the English Hubs Council. She has written national training on phonics and early reading.
Rachel is passionate about her work to give every child the gift of reading. She is driven by a desire to ensure all children have access to the highest standard of education and that they are enabled to read regardless of background, needs or abilities to give them the best possible life chances.
