Qualifications:

Certificate in Primary Education (Moray House College, Edinburgh)

Open University Reading Development Diploma (1979)

Master in Education (Manchester University)

all with distinction.

Fellowships, Trusteeships, Committees, Campaigns :

Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Fellow of the English Association

Associate of the Basic Skills Agency

Trustee of the English Association

Trustee of the English Speaking Board

member of advisory group of Talk To Your Baby and Reading Ambassador for Reading is Fundamental (both run by the National Literacy Trust)

Member of Educational Writers' Group Committee of the Society of Authors

organiser of Balance (1990) and Time to Teach (2002) campaigns.