Awkward teachers, pompous school governors and fearsome lollipop ladies occasionally make the author's hectic job as a school inspector more than difficult. But, for him, the main challenge remains the frankly spoken children. This title tells his story.

Following on from 'A Wayne in a Manger', Gervase Phinn has collected together some of his favourite stories about children, as well as including some of his most popular poems.

A collection of poems based on familiar themes.

Bad Becky is cheeky (but charming), opinionated and always in some kind of trouble. But you can't help loving her. This title tells a story about a princess who gets gobbled up by the dragon rather than another soppy one where the prince saves the princess.

Presents a collection of poetry on family, teachers, pupils and the dreaded school inspector. New kids, disobedient deputy heads, school reports and fireworks, daydreamers and embarrassing mums all make an appearance.

For Gervase Phinn growing old is not about a leisurely walk to the pub for a game of dominoes or snoozing in his favourite armchair. As this sparkling collection of his very best humorous writing shows, he may be 'out of the woods' but he is certainly not 'over the hill'.
Looking back over more than sixty years of family life, teaching, inspecting schools, writing and public speaking, Gervase never fails to unearth humour, character, warmth and wisdom from the most diverse of experiences, whether they be growing up in Rotherham with the most un-Yorkshirelike of names or describing why loud...

She was wearing red shoes With silver heels
Elisabeth Devine causes quite a stir on her arrival in the village. No one can understand why the head of a big inner city school would want to come to sleepy little Barton-in-the-Dale, to a primary with more problems than school dinners. And that's not even counting the challenges the mysterious Elisabeth herself will face: a bitter former head teacher, a grumpy caretaker and a duplicitous chair of governors, to name but a few.
Then there's the gossip. After all, a woman who would wear red shoes to an interview is obviously capable of...

The second book in the delightful BARTON-IN-THE-DALE series which began with THE LITTLE VILLAGE SCHOOL.

Elisabeth Devine certainly rocked the boat when she arrived in Barton-in-the-Dale to take over as head teacher of the little primary school. Now it's a new term, and after winning over the wary locals, she can finally settle in to her role. Or so she thinks . . .

For the school is hit by a brand-new bombshell: it's to be merged with its arch rival, and Elisabeth has to fight for the headship with Urebank's ruthless and calculating headmaster. She has her work cut out for her....

The third Little Village School novel
Summer has arrived in Barton-in-the-Dale and as a new term begins at the little primary school, it's not just the warm weather that's getting people hot under the collar.
Meetings with the teachers from Urebank School to discuss the merger are producing more than a few fireworks, a disruptive new pupil arrives, set to cause trouble, and a surprising staff love affair is exposed. There's also a big school production of The Wizard of Oz to organise as well as an impending visit from the Minister of Education. Headteacher Elisabeth...

The fourth "Little Village School" novel.
Love is in the air in the little village of Barton-in-the-Dale. Anyone can see that Ashley Underwood and Emmet O'Malley are made for each other. They've just got to admit it to themselves . . . But as the saying goes, the course of true love never did run smooth.
While romance blossoms on one side of the village, an angry young boy struggles to believe in love. But when tragedy strikes, he learns that comfort and care can come from the most unexpected of places.
Meanwhile, head teacher Elisabeth Stirling faces a new challenge for the start of...