Author List

Julie Sargent has over 10 years’ experience of working across the whole of the primary sector as an English Consultant. This includes developing bespoke CPD for individual schools, multi-academy trusts and local authorities. She has a particular interest in Early Years/KS1 and using high-quality texts to promote and develop all aspects of English.

Tom Saunders MD merged his life's work as a physician with his life's pleasure, golf. He practiced as a Family Physician in Calgary until 1968 when he joined the new Faculty of Medicine as head of Family Practice. As a professor he taught medical students and trainees how to use self hypnosis techniques to help their patients manage medical problems. He set the principles of hypnosis on his own game, and with other golfers.

Mel Scott is an MFL and English specialist who currently leads a year six team at Vale School. Prior to entering the teaching profession, she worked in industry using her language skills in areas as diverse as buying and copywriting. She has a particular interest in raising the level of children's engagement in and enjoyment of writing. @melscott123

Adam Seldon is a Secondary School Teacher and former Head of Year and Head of History at King Solomon Academy. Since a young age, Adam has lived in schools and has not been able to get out of them since. His parents, Joanna and Anthony Seldon, were both teachers. After almost ten years in the classroom, he realised that British schooling needed a shot of perspective from beyond its borders.

David Shephard BSc, DES is Chairman and Head of Research and Training for The Performance Partnership. David is a Master Trainer of NLP, Time Line Therapy, instructor of Hypnotherapy and teacher of Hawaiian Huna. He presents public seminars including Presenting Magically throughout the year. His companies include The Performance Partnership, the Coaching Partnership and The Profitability Partnership.

Julia Silver is the founder of Qualified Tutor, a professional development community that develops and certifies tutors. She lives in North London with her husband Simon, her five children and her Labrador puppy.

Iesha Small is an educator, a writer and an innovation lead at an education think tank. Iesha was previously an assistant head teacher and taught for fourteen years. After a breakdown in 2011, she started using photography to improve her mental health and explore people's stories ' and this journey ultimately led to her becoming an author. Iesha writes about education for various publications, including The Guardian and TES, and was previously a monthly columnist for Schools Week. To keep things interesting, she is also a speaker, blogger and podcaster. She lives near London with her family and a tiny but loud dog.

Laurie Smith has been a Lecturer in Education and Research Associate at King’s College London and Chief Examiner for the National Curriculum KS3 English test for London and East Anglia. She has been developing and promoting the Let’s Think in English programme with Michael since 2009.