About Me

I'm an independent teacher, writer, trainer and consultant, with thirty-five years' experience in teaching literacy, languages and numeracy. I believe that everyone has a right to learn to read and write to the limit of their capabilities, to learn a language and to understand numbers.

I enjoy working with teachers and assistants on training courses - this year, I have offered courses for the London Institute of Education (Using phonics to tackle literacy problems, and Using ICT to teach languages), Lighthouse (courses for assistants and for Manchester Catholic teachers), BETT and the Education Show (sentence-building and brain activity). I can tailor courses to your school's needs, at economic costs - sell places to neighbouring schools, and you may get your own training at a reduced cost or even free. (If you make a profit, it's yours.) I work with state and private sectors, and am leading on primary languages for The Learning Trust (Hackney).

I sometimes help primary and secondary schools appoint staff - this year, I've helped an academy appoint a very successful head of department, and a primary school a languages co-ordinator. My experience also includes appointing a specialist writer for the Science Museum and reviews of school and subject management. If you need independent advice, get in touch.

I've written two books, The Literacy File and Using Phonics to Teach Reading and Writing. I've also written a study on providing books for children who are in care. Click on My Books on the home page for details.