Simon Hammond

From Circuits to Stories: A Lifelong Love of Learning and Imagination.

Hello, I’m Simon Hammond — a former electrical and electronic engineer who somehow found his way into the world of teaching, leadership and eventually, writing. My career has taken me from circuit boards to classrooms, from senior leadership meetings to quiet early‑morning writing sessions and I wouldn’t change a moment of it.

I spent many years teaching science, mathematics, ICT and electrical/electronic engineering before moving into senior leadership roles. Education shaped me deeply — the people, the challenges, the joy of helping others grow. When I retired from the classroom, I realised I wasn’t ready to stop learning or sharing what I’d learned. Writing became the natural next chapter.

Since then, I’ve written a wide range of books for educators, including The Effective Senior Leader, The Effective Teacher, The Effective Teaching Assistant, The AI Ready Teacher and several further education and leadership guides. My aim has always been simple: to offer practical, honest, experience‑based support to the people who make education work.

But my writing doesn’t stop at education. I’m also passionate about personal development, wellbeing and faith. Books like 7 Days to a Better You, How to Care for Your Mental Health, Being Assertive and Learning to Say No, 8 Key Soft Skills for Professional Growth, Talking to God, A Prayer for Every Day and Does God Exist? reflect my belief that growth doesn’t end when we leave school — it continues throughout our lives.

I’ve also explored wider themes in books such as Inclusive Classrooms: A Practical Guide to Supporting Pupils with SEND, Why People Go to Church: Faith, Belonging and the Changing Religious Landscape of Modern Britain.

And then there’s Grace — my mischievous Old English Sheepdog, the inspiration behind the much‑loved Gracie children’s series, including Gracie the Old English Sheepdog: A Heartwarming Colouring Adventure. What began as a fun idea turned into nine joyful adventures that children (and adults) have embraced with real affection.

I also write fiction and poetry, including The Story of Gerald and Fiona: Thirty Years of Love, Hardship and the Power of Togetherness and the poetry collections The Light Within Silence and Where Silence Becomes Light. These books come from a quieter, more reflective part of my life — the part that enjoys exploring emotion, memory and the beauty of ordinary moments.

Today, I live in the peaceful surroundings of the Norfolk Broads with my wife, Gillian and our endlessly entertaining muse, Grace. Whether I’m writing for teachers, children, readers of faith, or anyone seeking personal growth, my goal is always the same: to encourage, to support, and to help others grow through every stage of life.