Sue Palmer

Sue Palmer, a former primary headteacher in Scotland, is a literacy specialist, writer, presenter and 'childhood campaigner'. She has written over 200 books, software packages and TV programmes for schools on aspects of literacy and many hundreds of articles for the educational and national press. Over the last ten years, her books on child development in the modern world - notably Toxic Childhood (second edition 2015) - have led to frequent media appearances and comments about changes in children's lifestyles. Her latest book, Upstart: the case for raising the school starting age and providing what the under-sevens really need, was published in 2016. Sue chaired the Scottish Play Commission, served on the Scottish Government's Early Years Task Force and currently chairs the Upstart Scotland campaign.