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. 

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.