The teaching is the point

When you’re in the throes of the school term it’s easy to think about the next holiday. To look forward with excitement to that dreamlike last ringing of the bell signalling the time to pack up and go home. Of course, that’s normal. Teaching is a hard job. It’s relentless and frustrating. It’s easy to …

An introduction to me and my writing

One of the best things about publishing my novel in the last few months has been talking to people about it. As an independent author, I don't want that to stop there, I want to get to know you and what you like about my stories. In this short video, I start by introducing myself. …

Three books that inspired me to write a novel

I'm feeling very fortunate at the moment. A year ago I was working full time, counting down the days until the next school holiday and writing in every other moment available. Right now I'm on the plane on the way to Budapest for a few days, my first book is out and selling some copies …

The road from reluctant writer to publishing my first novel

On December the 3rd 2017 I wrote this in my journal:  I’m excited to start writing something – but I have no clue where and how to actually start writing! I'm going to get some big bits of paper and do some planning so that I have a general direction, then pick bits I like …

Five things being a teacher has taught me

As teachers, we always talk about the progress of our students. We watch them arrive (if you're a secondary school teacher like me) bright-eyed in year 7, and grow almost unrecognizably through to year 11 and sometimes even on to the sixth form. It's one of my favourite parts of the job, which I always …

Five reasons not to work during the holidays

During any holiday season, there always seems to be a big split amongst the teaching community on social media. There are those who are using the time to get ahead with their marking, planning or even going into the classroom to get things organized for the first day back. Then there are those who believe …

Six ways to make time to read when you’re busy

As an English teacher and a writer, I'm obviously all for reading. It won't surprise you to know that when parents of my students ask me what they can be doing to help their children, 90% of the time reading is the answer. That's because of the transformative effect it has... but I think you …

Creative writing mini scheme of work

I love teaching creative writing and young people can be so good at it. They have such great ideas which, when harnessed, creates some great pieces of work. I've already shared the Creative Writing Structure Strips which are incorporated into this short scheme of work.   I've used this a number of times, often when …

“I haven’t got time for that” re-thinking time scarcity

  "I haven't got time for that." "There just aren't enough hours in the day?" How often have you used one of the above phrases? I would guess, knowing the pressures of modern life, especially those for us involved in education, it's fairly frequent. It seems to be a symptom of our modern age that we're …

Set boundaries to protect your creativity

  In modern times the idea of boundaries have picked up a bit of a bad rep. You wouldn't be blamed if images of a glass ceiling, elitism or even xenophobia came to mind when boundaries were mentioned. This is the notion that there is a boundary stopping you,  holding you in, or keeping you …