Tony is a teacher of 35 years experience. The majority of his career has been spent in the Primary context although he has taught in Secondary schools and in Higher Education Institutes, such as UMIST, where he taught English as a Foreign Language to visiting students.

He has been writing with a view to publication throughout his teaching career and has had a modicum of success, primarily writing poetry, fiction and picture books for children when his teaching and his family commitments allowed. His poems have been published in approx.100 anthologies of children’s poetry in the UK and abroad, whilst his other publications include graphic novels for teenagers and fiction for pre-teens and picture books for early readers. He also writes poetry for adults.

When not visiting schools in the above capacity, he acts as resident poet, writer, illustrator and imagineer in a bi-lingual school in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

School Visits

Tony likes to think that there is nothing ‘typical’ about his visits to schools. He tailors his visits – performances, class activities, etc. to the school’s requirements. He is prepared to tailor activities around curriculum focuses, school ‘celebrations’ and any other in-school activities requiring creative input, such as poetry competitions, and other literary endeavours.

Tony also offers a variety of other services. He is willing to act as a Long Distance Laureate for children wishing to get advice regarding any poetry they write. He offers INSET courses on Teaching Poetry and Creative Writing to children and is willing to extend a school visit to promote literacy activities in ‘after-school’ clubs for both children and interested parents.

After all his school visits he usually presents the school with an original, illustrated poem as a memento. Tony augments his performances with music (he plays guitar and harmonica)/ songs/ jokes/ riddles and a judicious touch of mayhem when the situation demands!

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