John has been involved in education for 30 years. The majority of this time has been spent in meeting the needs of ESBD pupils.  This has included mainstream support for primary-age pupils with learning and behaviour difficulties; tutoring a course for mainstream teachers transferring to special education; management in residential education.  From 1997 to 2001 he was Headteacher of Crookhey Hall School, an independent day school for 64 boys with ESBD, in Lancashire.  John has a Masters Degree awarded by London University, which includes research into SEN, an Advanced Diploma in the education of pupils with learning difficulties and a Diploma in the education of pupils with specific learning difficulties.