Dr Alan Marsh has more than 25 years’ experience working as a local authority Chartered Educational Psychologist (EP) and has taught in primary, secondary and special schools. Alan successfully combined his EP career with six years of study for a PhD in Formula Funding and Special Educational Needs at the Open University. In mid-life Alan and his wife took the opportunity to backpack around the world for three months to celebrate their 50th birthdays and silver wedding anniversary. Following his return to the UK, Alan was self-employed as a freelance Educational Psychologist in a number of LAs, together with involvement of DfE and university-funded projects. Since retirement as an EP, he has continued to write articles as an independent researcher.