The visit was to Westwoodside CoE Primary Schoo, where he officially opened the new library.
After a career as a teacher, Yorkshire-born Gervase became a schools inspector and, latterly, Visiting Professor of Education at the University of Teesside.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education.
He has a particular interest in children’s literature and literacy.
Gervase is pictured with some of the school pupils.