Author's Visits &
Poetry in Schools
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"Mandy is a writer whose skills working with children and adults, in workshops and in collaboration are renowned."
Judy Gordon, The Worktown Festival
Author's Visits
Mandy's poetry for children has featured on BBC Schools Radio and CBeebies. She visits primary and secondary schools and colleges (all Key Stages).
A typical author's visit:
can be a full or half-day , in primary or secondary schools. It includes a poetry reading, Q&A and poetry workshops for class-sized groups.
The workshops:
include a range of games and guided writing activities designed to support creativity and confidence (and have fun!). The poems the young writers create will explore imagery, voice, narrative and form.
Working alongside young writers,
Mandy shares real writing practices such as book design, illustration, finding inspiration, creative risk-taking, editing as well as reading and writing for pleasure.
Zooming in on the future
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For National Poetry Day, World Book Day, or to support creativity in the classroom... Mandy can make an author's visit to your school, in person, or through online workshops, talks and/or readings.
To request an email info-sheet on dates, rates and bookings contact Mandy using the contact form below.
(Mandy can also be booked via the Poetry Society UK, Education).
Audio of poems for children can be heard at the Children's Poetry Archive, and at BBC School's Radio.
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National Association of Writers in Education membership
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DBS certificate
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public liability insurance
photo credits, MCBF, The Writing School at MMU
Feedback on Visits
Creative risk-taking, critical thinking, confidence, reading and writing for pleasure....
"We have a new culture of confidence in children wanting to perform and share their work."
Plymouth Grove Primary, Manchester
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“In two hours, we created a piece of poetry we were proud of -thanks Mandy!”
Yr 8 pupil, Manchester High School
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"I came away from the afternoon with lots of ideas for teaching creative writing and poetry.
Teacher, The King's School, Devon
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"I can’t remember the last time I have felt such a buzz of excitement from students about my subject..."
Head of Yr 8 Woodroffe School
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“Mandy's enthusiasm is infectious.”
Leasowe Primary, Liverpool
Educational work
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Co-author of 'Our thoughts are bees: Writers Working with Schools', Mandy has been an educationist for 20 years. She has created poetry activities for all UK Schools for National Poetry Day, and designed educational materials for the Poetry Society, the Book Trust's 'Poetry Friendly Classroom' and the Children's Poetry Bookshelf.
Workshop resources incorporate all learning styles and explore poetry using:
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cross-curricular subjects
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responses to art
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close observation
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other languages
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making and doing
Resources:
In support of a 'poetry-friendly school, Mandy will leave teaching staff with copies of resources used.
Educational publications
