‘2002/2003, Year 5. My class had a literacy lesson where we had to write our own fantasy story. Luckily, I was into knights and dragons thanks to the Mega Bloks Dragons sets that were released at the time. Using the sets and names as inspiration, my story was somehow good enough to be read out in assembly. Despite being very shy as a child, I didn’t feel nervous reading out my story to my peers and staff. When I received a round of applause at the end, I finally felt like I was good at something in school.
Twenty years later, I remembered this moment when I decided to try my hand at writing a children’s book. ‘Sea to Believe’ is inspired by my work as a Learning Support Assistant at a primary school. I specialise in helping Key Stage 2 pupils to reach age-expected level, although that is not my only important role. Due to my reading interventions being either with small groups or 1:1, I have the opportunity to learn from my students and find common ground in mutual interests such as music, history, space, films and food. Not only does this help me effectively alter my teaching style to meet my students’ unique needs, but it also helps my pupils view our sessions as a safe space, should they feel a need to discuss problems they face inside or outside of school. I hope ‘Sea to Believe’ pays well-earned respect to positive male role models, be they family members, friends, teachers or members of the community.
When I’m not working or writing, I like to watch professional wrestling, building Lego, go to the Malvern Hills, visiting Wales with my friends and, of course, listening to plenty of Rock and Metal!
APS BOOKS/APS PUBLICATIONS 