Dyslexic Grove Park Teacher Releases Sci-Fi Sequel
Dan Batchelor hit the headlines after calling for an end to spelling tests
Left:
The cover of The Resistance. Right: Dan Batchelor. Picture: Chris Batchelor
June 25, 2026
Chiswick-based author and Grove Park Primary School teacher Dan Batchelor is set to release the second instalment of his young adult sci-fi trilogy, Jack Palmer II: The Resistance, following the success of his debut novel last year.
Dam, who made national headlines in 2025 for calling for an end to traditional spelling tests, has become a prominent voice in the conversation around how schools support children with learning differences. His stance — shaped by his own late diagnosis of dyslexia — sparked widespread debate about the impact of academic pressure on young learners.
Now, the teacher-turned-author is channelling that same passion for education and empowerment into his fiction. His new novel, published by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, continues the story of Jack Palmer, a young boy thrust into the chaos of an alien invasion. The first book, Jack Palmer: A New Order, was praised for its pace, imagination, and emotional depth.
In the sequel, Jack finds himself carrying a secret that could alter humanity’s fate. Forced to leave Earth on a perilous mission to seek help from another alien species, he becomes entangled in a Resistance movement he never knew existed. The stakes are higher, the dangers greater — and Jack’s return to Earth, if it happens at all, is far from guaranteed.
Batchelor says the trilogy is deeply rooted in his own experiences. “Growing up with dyslexia, writing a novel, let alone a whole series, felt like an impossible dream for a very long time,” he said. “I wanted to write this story to show my students, and anyone else facing similar hurdles, that having a learning difference doesn't hold you back. It just means you navigate the world differently.”
His advocacy work continues to resonate with parents, teachers, and policymakers. Batchelor argues that traditional spelling tests can harm the confidence and mental health of children who learn differently, and he continues to push for more inclusive approaches to literacy.
With Jack Palmer II: The Resistance, Batchelor hopes to inspire young readers — especially those who may feel defined by their struggles. “I hope this book proves to them that truly anything is possible,” he said.
Jack Palmer II: The Resistance is available for pre-order now at Waterstones.
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