In September I started at Malmesbury Secondary School, where I am studying English, maths and science on a reduced timetable. Although I was very nervous when I began, I needn’t have been – I have made a great set of new friends, been accepted by the school community and love learning new things with inspiring teachers.

In the meantime my campaign for all children to be taught to read and write regardless of their label has taken me to speak at conferences in Leeds and Manchester, and the House of Lords. Teach Us Too continues to grow, with more plans in 2018.

All of this has kept me busy this term, but the reason I haven’t written many blogs is… writing! Every spare writing moment has been spent completing my book, Eye Can Write, which is due to be published in July 2018.

Below is a short extract from my book:

‘There are a number of reasons Christmas is my favourite time of year – the first is a pragmatic one, my body doesn’t mind being cold but causes me a lot of stress when it gets too hot, so the winter climate is perfect. Secondly, it means Daddy-time – not the usual quarter of an hour snatched between bath time and his evening meetings, but real Daddy-time, long afternoons, fact-filled forays into books, the ipad and outings. But before we can have our Daddy, there is the real reason I love Christmas. Sometimes, heaven and earth seem so close, they almost touch each other. This for me is the ‘magic’ of Christmas, and it’s not only for us children to enjoy, for Jesus came for us all. When heaven draws close to earth, it affects people’s behaviour, making them jollier, more generous and gentler.’

Happy Christmas to you all!

Christmas cake made by me, decoration designed by Susannah, decorated by Susannah, Jemima and me, shortly to be eaten by us all!