School Visits

Workshops – A note from Eamonn

For me to be a writer is a dream come true, but sitting alone in a room day after day with a pen and paper isn’t enough. I love to travel and meet new people. I loved my life as a primary school teacher and I miss being with children. Now though, I spend a lot of time with children and I’m loving it more than ever.

I usually do a full days workshop but can do half days. I also do INSETS with teachers which have been very productive and great fun.

I worked for many years as a primary school teacher and as a schools adviser. It’s natural for me to use many of the drama strategies that I used as a teacher in my workshops. Expect a lot of animated children engaged in lots of animated chatter during the day.

Recently I was watched by Ofsted when doing one of my workshops (please e-mail if you would like details). I’ve been watched by Ofsted many times and thankfully they’ve always loved what I do. Ofsted are looking for the “wow factor” in schools. They want to see children engaged in something that fills them with awe and wonder. They want to see the children doing something that they will remember for many years to come. The Ofsted Inspectors who watched me were very excited to learn that the children were engaged in a process that was leading towards their stories being put into a professionally published book. This is part of the “I’m an Author” project and your school may wish to sign up for that at the same time that I come to do a workshop for you.

These are some questions that you might like to think about if you would like to book me to do a workshop for you.

• Do you want me to work on a specific theme throughout the day? Say bullying, racism, adventure or history
• Do you want me to liaise with phase or subject leaders prior to the workshop?
• Do you want me to do a creative workshop for the staff?
• Do you want me to come in and use my own ideas with the children?
• Do you want me to visit all of the children or concentrate on one or two year groups?

Some practical notes that may be of some help to you:-

• If you have a working relationship with schools near you it may be a good idea to book me into a number of schools over several days. (This will help keep your costs down!)
• Some schools have raised money for my visit by having a readathon or school book day

I wish you every success with your writing projects and it would be great if you would like me to be a part of it.

Full Day £275 +expenses Half Day £175 + expenses