Sue Palmer, a former primary headteacher, is a literacy specialist and author of books on child development, notably ‘Toxic Childhood’, ’21st Century Boys’ and ’21st Century Girls’. Research for ‘Upstart: the case for raising the school starting age and providing what the under-sevens really need’ (Floris, 2016) inspired the Upstart Scotland campaign(www.upstart.scot).

During a long career as a freelance literacy specialist she wrote over 250 books, software programs and TV scripts on various aspects of literacy, and many hundreds of articles for the educational and national press. She has also provided courses for teachers throughout the UK and around the world, and acted as a consultant to the National Literacy Trust, the Basic Skills Agency, the DfE and the BBC.

In recent years, Sue has been Chair of the Scottish Play Commission, served on the Scottish Government’s Early Years Task Force and is now chair of Upstart Scotland. She is thrilled to be listed in Who’s Who and Debrett’s People of Today as a ‘childhood campaigner’ and has twice been named among the 40 most influential educationists in London, whichgives her particular pleasure since she lives in Edinburgh.

• Sue's Website.
• Sue's Book Group Video