I am now taking bookings for September 2010 onwards.
Sessions are designed to be fun, informative and interactive - leaving the children enthused and excited about books, reading, writing and telling stories…
During the course of a day I can do up to four sessions (and a whole school assembly) but please feel free to give me a call to discuss your needs or ideas without any obligation.
A typical school day could be set out something like this...
9.00 - 9.30 Whole School Assembly
(in which I introduce myself and get the day started with a story suitable for all ages)
9.40 - 10.30 Session 1 Year 1 & 2 in the Hall
10.30 - 10.45 Break
10.45 - 11.45 Session 2 Reception in a classroom if the hall needs to be clear for dinner
12.00 - 13.00 Dinner
13.10 - 14.10 Session 3 - Years 3 and 4 in the Hall
14.15 - 15.15 Session 4 - Years 5 and 6 in the Hall
15.15 - Booksale and Signing
This is just a sample - I'm sure you have your own suggestions and I'm very flexible.
If you're thinking of arranging a visit, please get in touch as early as possible...
Session Type 1 - Performance (the most popular)
A lively mixture of storytelling and chat, suitable for children from reception to year six.
These sessions work well with single classes all the way up to much larger groups/festival audiences.
As well as sharing stories and poems I talk about different aspects of writing - from getting ideas to what it's like being a writer. Audiences get the chance to see books and stories in progress and get an idea of the sort of things that go into making a children's book - The drafting, editing, reworking - even the illustrations and layout.
These sessions are not rigidly planned so it allows each one to be unique to the group I'm working with and ensures the children get as much from the sessions as possible. Children (and adults) always have lots of questions to ask and I'm more than happy to answer any questions. I find that this helps to shape the way sessions progress, making each one different and interesting to the individual.
I do not get children to do any writing in these sessions, however, teachers (and children) often tell me that they feel fired up to go and do some writing afterwards.
Length of session -Approximately 1 Hour.
Materials - A Table to Display Books.
Location - The School Hall, Library or Suitable Classroom.
I also bring a selection of books with me so that children can buy a book to have signed at the end of the day or session. Whether this is done is entirely up to you, however, it is something that the children get excited about and adds to the experience. Some schools like to involve their local bookshop in this.
* For large groups or festivals where viewing books or pictures may be difficult, due to the size of the audience, I have images on a USB stick which can be projected onto a white board if you have the necessary equipment - though please let me know at the time of booking.
Session Type 2 - Writing Workshops
Please remember I am not a teacher, however, I am happy to do writing workshops with children from Reception to Year 6, however, I prefer to do so after having done a performance session first. This is not simply so I can talk about what I do - experience has shown me the classes respond much better this way.
With younger groups we can write a story together as a class, and/or if time allows, children can work on their own to draw a character and I will go round and sit with everyone so we can talk about what they've done and think of story ideas around their characters.
With older/more able year groups the children do writing for themselves.
With older year groups I generally focus on getting an idea, creating characters and getting started with the story but touch on many other things as well. In these sessions the children do the writing for themselves and I will assist.
Length of Session -1 Hour Minimum
(Up to Half a Day or longer if preferred)
Materials - A White Board or Flip Chart and Appropriate Pens
(I can also use an interactive white board under supervision)
Children Need a Pencil and Excersise Book/Couple of Sheets of Paper
Location - A Classroom with Desks and Chairs
(It sounds obvious I know)
Number of Children - Normal Class Size
Writing sessions can be be based on my own books (though this is not necessary) - Robo-runners for KS 2 or Tales of Robin Hood (and others) for KS 1
(I cannot do a writing workshop with large groups of children unless there are plenty of teachers and assistants to help)
Feel free to contact me without obligation for further details
Telephone 0798 66 56 876.
E-mail author@damianharvey.co.uk
You can use these mini posters to advertise visits to your school/library or just for decoration
If you would like larger posters or other publicity material please let me know and I will arrange to have them sent to your school
Click here for an A4 size poster number 2 (pdf)
Click here for an A4 size poster number 4(pdf)
Click here for an A4 size poster number 3(pdf)
Click here for an A4 author profile sheet with book covers (WORD)
What People Have Said
"Thank you very much for a fantastic day in school. We have received a huge amount of positive feedback from children staff and parents. Everyone enjoyed the high energy delivery of the workshops. Your input on the day was the best possible way to promote the opening of our new school library and stimulate reading in school." Peter Mansfield Headteacher - High Oakham Primary School, Mansfield
"Thanks for a great day last Thursday, at Padiham Primary School. Children and Staff loved it! In fact, they’re still talking about it. It has certainly inspired us as a school to do more events like this in the future." F Billam Padiham Primary School, Lancashire
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you for coming to see us on Friday. I know that the children (and staff!) got so much out of the sessions. The stories were really entertaining and fun and kept even my most challenging child gripped!" L Towle, Merridale Primary School, Wolverhampton.
"The Children and staff all found your visit interesting and amusing, we all enjoyed the funny stories! It inspired the children and they created some fantastic pieces of writing. An excellent visit, thank you." C Addison, Our Lady & St Gerard's RCP, Preston.
"Your visit motivated and inspired children and staff, it was a very rewarding experience! I would strongly recommend you to any other schools." Dearham Primary School ~ Cumbria
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Some of the schools and libraries I've visited include...
Egglescliffe Library - Stockton, High Oakham Primary School - Nottinghamshire, Inskip St Peter's CE Primary - Lancs., Workington Library - Cumbria, Cleator Moor Library - Cumbria, Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School - Lancashire, Dovedale Junior School - Liverpool, Central First School - Ashington, Northumberland, Hunter Hall Primary School - Penrith, John Cross Primary School - Lancashire, Howick CE Primary School - Penwortham, Clitheroe Library, Longridge Library, Bournemouth Library, Uttoxeter Library, Parbold Library, Coppull Library, Heath Mount Pre Prep - Watton at Stone, Heathfield, Rishworth School - Rishworth, Hesketh with Becconsall All Saints, Seacroft Grange Primary - Leeds, Christ Church Primary - Bilston, West Midlands, Brookhurst Primary School - Bromborough, Our Lady of Assumption - Belle Vale, Liverpool, Thornton in Craven Community Primary School, Manor Beach Primary School - Cleveleys, Glebe School - Whitley Bay, Sacred Heart CP School - Oldham, St Cuthberts C of E Primary School - Halsall, Copull Parish Primary School, Copull - Chorley, Somersham Primary School, Cambridgeshire, Wingrove Primary School (Newcastle), St Patricks RC Primary (Southport), St Edwards RC Primary (Darwin), Dulwich Village CE Infants (Dulwich), Merridale Primary School (Wolverhampton), St John's RC Primary School (Skelmersdale), Shooters Grove Primary School (Sheffield), Margaret McMillan Primary School (Bradford), Tower View Primary School - Burton-on-Trent, St Mary's First School - Westmoors, Dorset, Morton Trentside Primary School - Gainsborough, Overdale Primary School - Kirkby, Knowsley, Greengate Junior School - Barrow-in-Furness, Bradley Primary School - Nelson, Kingsfold Primary School - Penwortham, Our Lady & St Gerrard's RC Primary - Preston, St Chad's CE Primary School, Poulton-le-Fylde, Ysgol Capalulo - Dwygyfylchi, Conwy, St Hilda's C.E. Primary School (Oldham), Maryport Infant School (Cumbria), Sailsbury Primary School (Blackburn, Lancs), Seymour Park Primary School ( Manchester), Bawtry Mayflower Primary School (Bawtry, Doncaster), Ash Grove Primary School (Macclesfield), Heyhouses Primary School (St Annes - Lancashire), Fensiclowels Primary School (Blackburn), Deer Park Primary School (Chesterfield), Grimsargh Primary School (Grimsargh - Preston), Keelby Primary School (Keelby - Grimsby), Kirkham Grammar Junior School (Kirkham - Lancashire), Newport Libraries (Newport - South Wales), Sacred Heart RC Primary School (Church - Accrington), Middleton Primary School (Peterborough - Cambridgeshire), St John's CE Priamry School (Accrington), Sudell Primary School (Darwin), Sunning Hill Primary School (Bolton), Camelot Primary School (Peckham - London), Bacup Library (Bacup - Lancashire), The Harris Library (Preston - Lancashire), Manor Fields Primary School (Bishops Stortford - Hertfordshire), Mill Lane Primary School (Chinnor - Oxfordshire), Dearham Primary School (Dearham - Cumbria), Anchorsholme Primary School (Blackpool),
Lancashire Libraries ~ "Shout About Books" Children's Literature Festival 2007/08/09
Glasgow ~ "Aye Write" Book Festival 2009
The "Northern Children's Book Festival" NCBF 2009
East Staffordshire Literature Festival 2009
StarLit Festival - Shoreditch, London 2009
