Mr (Mat) Willment was born in Wales but his parents moved to Kent when he was a baby and he has been here ever since. Mat was a former pupil at Oakwood Park Grammar School and went on to study Geography at the University of Sheffield. Once he'd finished his degree, he struggled to find a job that interested him and so he started volunteering at a local youth club. It was here that Mat found his passion for working with young people which led him to volunteer in schools. Not long after, he had completed his PGCE and began working as a primary school teacher. Mat worked at this school for almost eight years and has very fond memories of his time there. In May 2023, he made the incredibly difficult decision to leave due to the nature of the job and has dedicated himself to writing children’s stories ever since. Mat actually got the idea to write his first book, In for a Penny, whilst teaching a few years ago. The aim was to encourage more children in his class to read. Now, Mat's books are being read not just by children at his old school, but even adults and teachers up and down the country!