How I wish English teacher, Mr Francis could see me now. It was his inspirational, expert teaching that first transformed dry printed words into revelations about the universal stuff of life. Learning how to read and write gave me the tools to study all the disciplines from history to physics to maths. I became the first person in my family to enter university. I’ve published four books and I’m a university Professor. I’ve even advised the Government on improving literacy. His infectious love of words transformed my life.
But I was one of the lucky ones. Which is why I get so enraged when every summer I see hundreds of thousands of pupils assessed at age 16 to have fallen short of basic standards in English language and maths. In practical terms this means many of our teenagers will leave school unable to digest a train timetable, compare the cost of products and services, or understand a medical prescription.
