See One. Do One. Teach One: 12 lessons to support GCSE English

Martin Ferguson was born in Belfast and has been an English teacher for ten years. Whilst studying at Queen's University Belfast, Martin obtained both his English and Politics degree and his PGCE. His PGCE experience was heavily influenced by citizenship teaching and the rights of the child, and how this plays a vital role in everyday classroom practice and curriculum delivery. His focus has always been on making day-to-day classroom teaching accessible and responsive to the needs of the pupils whilst maintaining [ensuring] high expectations for all. Martin has worked in several high performing schools in both the secondary and grammar sector and has had the privilege of working in a mixed ability environment for much of his career. He began his career in St Killian's College, Ballymena, a highly successful mixed ability school, where his previous roles included literacy coordinator and assistant head of English. During his time there, he led the KS3 Transition Project and the GCSE Signature Project, where he gained valuable experience in tackling underachievement and developed strategies to help raise standards at a classroom and system level. His current role as Head of English at Ashfield Girls' High School, a mixed-ability school, began in 2018. He has completed his Senior Leadership Pathways Programme and is a member of the school's Teaching, Learning and Assessment Team. Martin has also been a guest lecturer delivering seminars at Queen's University Belfast to various PGCE cohorts about the importance of interdisciplinary literacy. This involved sharing research informed practice, how to recognise underachievement through reading and writing and the important role that all subject teachers play in relation to whole school literacy. He is also a member of the 5 Nations Network which focuses on the delivery of citizenship and the promotion of global issues impacting young people. Martin has also worked with the Education Authority, CCEA and other external bodies in relation to curriculum development and teacher training.