After a degree in Modern History at Oxford University, Patricia Tyerman took a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of London (1970). While teaching in special schools and a child guidance clinic for the Inner London Education Authority, she achieved a First in Psychology and Philosophy from Birkbeck College, University of London (1977). She was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the Open University (1979–99) and she was a senior research fellow at Canterbury Christchurch University (1999–2004). At the Open University Tyerman co-authored and co-edited six books for a wide readership. Other books include 'Inclusion in the City' and 'Education in Britain and China', which were both published by Routledge in 2003. This is her first memoir, written in her maiden name. Since 2004, Tyerman has written and performed stories for the Spark network at the Canal Café Theatre, London. She has completed creative writing courses run by City University and the Arvon Foundation and belonged to the West9Writers’ Group convened by Susan Elderkin, a Granta Best of Young British Novelists ('Sunset Over Chocolate Mountains', 2000, 'The Novel Cure', 2014). Tyerman belongs to a weekly writers’ group and she divides her time between writing, playing the French Bassoon, seeing her grandsons and exploring London on foot and by bike. www.patriciatyerman.co.uk