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Hello and welcome to my author’s biography.

Early career and writing experience

I qualified as a PE teacher at Loughborough University in 1982. My first 3 jobs were

working with 16-19 year olds teaching A Level Physical Education. I specialised in teaching

Anatomy & Physiology and Exercise Physiology, but also Skill Acquisition and Sport

Psychology. I was invited to be part of a 3 man team tasked with writing an A Level PE text

for Stanley Thornes. At the time I had 2 young boys and was initially overwhelmed and full

of trepidation. However, holding the printed book for the first

time made the whole experience worthwhile and gave

me a tremendous sense of achievement and satisfaction.

As they say there is a book in all of us!

Change of career direction

In my 40s I began work in a High School as a School Sport

Coordinator, moving on to another school to work as a

Partnership Development Manager. For the first time I was

working with KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4. The data collection for PE and School Sport at the

time, revealed that KS1 were the poor relation in terms of Physical Education. So in 2008 I

began work on a KS1 PE programme with a character called Fitzy, with the aim to increase

the number of children engaged in physical activity. In 2010 this aim widened to active and

healthy lifestyle development. A number of activities were organised and numerous

resources were written, including Fitzy stories.

Another change of focus

During the final 8 years of my career I established an

independent network of Primary Schools (oPEn), working

alongside Primary PE leads providing curriculum support,

resource development and CPD; it was during this time that I

also worked with Primary PGCE students. So Fitzy was still part

of my life.

Retirement – or not?

After a year of retirement, I decided that I didn’t want Fitzy to have to retire too. Fitzy has

always been very successful in engaging young children and encouraging and motivating

them to be active and healthy. A series of Fitzy books with an accompanying website

seemed to be the answer; so Fitzy is still alive and kicking!

Visit www.fitzyandme.com for more information and free Fitzy downloads for children.

Best wishes

Helen

@fitzyandme