John Smith is Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Education where he teaches Mathematics Education and Thinking Skills on ITE and CPD courses. He began his teaching career as a teacher of English and communication skills to adults before moving into primary education. For many years he was a class teacher and subject coordinator in a primary school before becoming a teacher educator. He is a Sapere Philosophy for Children trainer and has also been trained in many of the other approaches described within this book.