It's all integral

Having been told that I didn’t have the right attitude to be a teacher I went off to get some proper grown-up, real-world experience … in the rock music business based in London and LA (yeah, yeah … I know … how real is Hollywood?).

My innate interest in learning led to a spell working with disaffected youfs preceded the move to independence (self-employment) mutter-mutter years ago, working in trainer training, qualifications development, research into the neuro-psychology of learning and consultancy in all things learning. That’s when I’m not developing resources and advising clients on the use of read/write web and digital media tools to make learning accessible and enjoyable.

These days I’m pretty fully occupied with a diversity of work that includes developing Diplomas, new qualifications offering a more work related alternative for 14-19 year olds in the UK. It’s funny how it seems to be impossible to say that without suggesting that it is for students who can’t cope with academic courses. They really are an alternative with opportunities for full academic qualifications built right in.

I’ve also been developing National Occupational Standards in partnership with key employers, practitioners and trainers.

I interact extensively with associates around the world in exploring aspects of learning and communicating in an age of unprecedented potential for global collaboration and for screwing up various body clocks coping with time-zones!

I’m officially Suffolk ‘n’ Cool because that’s the name of my, frankly excellent, music-based podcast at www.suffolkandcool.com