What will John do on a school visit?
Standard format
Visits can vary in content, but my standard visits include the following:
With the very little ones I read a story, sing a song, and recite a poem. I like to keep it cosy and fun, without over-exciting them!
With KS1 & KS2 it's a bit livelier. I'll read and sing to them, talk about my work and answer their questions. It's high-energy, with a lot of laughter and at least as much inspiration!
*These timings are approximate - the more flexibility the timetable has, the more likely I am to go on a bit longer!
Visits can vary in content, but my standard visits include the following:
- 20-25 minutes with FS*
- about 45 minutes with KS1*
- around an hour with lower KS2*
- around an hour with upper KS2*
- a book signing
With the very little ones I read a story, sing a song, and recite a poem. I like to keep it cosy and fun, without over-exciting them!
With KS1 & KS2 it's a bit livelier. I'll read and sing to them, talk about my work and answer their questions. It's high-energy, with a lot of laughter and at least as much inspiration!
*These timings are approximate - the more flexibility the timetable has, the more likely I am to go on a bit longer!
Optional extras
At no additional charge, I can take all of KS2 in a single session (instead of the two outlined above) and add one of the following extras to the standard format:
At no additional charge, I can take all of KS2 in a single session (instead of the two outlined above) and add one of the following extras to the standard format:
- a parent session - where a school is keen to involve parents, John can offer an end-of-day assembly for parents & children, or a timetabled parents-only session to talk about reading with your children
- a Shakespeare session - an interactive retelling of the best bits of Julius Caesar or A Midsummer Night's Dream. About 45 minutes to an hour
- a Greek Legend session - an interactive retelling of the story of the War of Troy, taking in some of the other legends which link to it. About 45 minutes to an hour
Poetry day
A poetry visit is much like a standard visit, but with the emphasis firmly on poetry and particularly on the poems in Dinosaurs & Dinner-Ladies. Let me know what topics you're studying during the term, and I'll try to find some poems to match, if I can - I've even been known to write one specially.
Like the standard format, a poetry visit will involve both music and laughter!
A poetry visit is much like a standard visit, but with the emphasis firmly on poetry and particularly on the poems in Dinosaurs & Dinner-Ladies. Let me know what topics you're studying during the term, and I'll try to find some poems to match, if I can - I've even been known to write one specially.
Like the standard format, a poetry visit will involve both music and laughter!
Workshop days & bespoke packages
If you'd like me to come to your school and run writing workshops, I can do that! Current workshops include:
I can't include the whole school in workshops during a single day, I'm afraid, but a whole-school assembly can usually be added to a workshop visit at no extra cost.
And it may be that your school needs something that little bit different, or would like to combine elements from different sections for different classes. I can do that, too! Please email to discuss your needs.
- Generating ideas
- Bringing your writing to life
- Poetry workshops
I can't include the whole school in workshops during a single day, I'm afraid, but a whole-school assembly can usually be added to a workshop visit at no extra cost.
And it may be that your school needs something that little bit different, or would like to combine elements from different sections for different classes. I can do that, too! Please email to discuss your needs.
Costs
For costs and other details, please visit the T&Cs page.
If you'd like to know anything else, or fancy booking a visit, you can use this contact form:
If you'd like to know anything else, or fancy booking a visit, you can use this contact form:
If you'd like something different, please let me know. I can mix and match poetry and story sessions, Shakespeare and/or Greek Legend sessions, workshops, and perhaps even something brand new just for you.
Use this form to make enquiries or book a visit!