Gove and Grammar

It is difficult to say whether Michael Gove, our education minister, has been the cause of the recent resurgence of interest in grammar, or is simply part of a current trend.  Lately, we have seen the publication of Gwynne's Grammar, For Who the Bell Tolls by David Marsh and Harry Ritchie's English for the Natives.

My own series of four books for children of junior school age and their teachers (for many of them in their thirties were never taught garmmar at school) will also be available in a few weeks time.

Unfortunately, Gove's push to get 'back to basics' comes with all sorts of other hazards: the main and perennial issue of emphasising a form of education that can be examined, while discarding the unmeasurable. Concentrating on the measurable will, unfortunately, lead to immeasurable damage to a whole bunch of children.  This is why I've designed the layout of my books in such a way that creativity can sit comfortably alongside the learning of grammar.  It's my belief that the two are bound together.  Artists are hampered if they can't draw.  Skateboarders can't do fancy tricks if they can't stay on the skateboard.  Surfers should learn to swim.  It's the same with grammar and creativity.  It's useful to know the rules, even if you decide deliberately to break them when you're writing that best-seller.