School Visits and Writing Workshops

I visit lots of schools and run Creative Writing sessions. In the past few months I have worked in loads of Hackney Primary schools as part of the Linklaters Words Unite scheme. I was also writer in residence at Cardinal Pole Secondary school in Hackney and in Heathcote School in Stevenage (but not at the same time). 

Other schools I have worked in recently include The Phoenix School, Henrietta Barnett School, King Edward Camp Hill School Birmingham, Couslden Sixth Form College and the Mulberry School. Oh and I ran a successful workshop with a group of writers in Feltham Young Offenders in January.

As a bit of a  school failure myself I have found ways to make writing accessible and interesting.  like to show people ways of getting their own stories out rather than read my own work. We do instant characters, how to cook up stories and occasionally mind reading.

I am happy to do talks about books too and have just piloted a successful powerpoint talk for A Nest Of Vipers, my latest book.

A whole day visit will usually involve a maximum of four workshops or talks and I am happy to work with all abilities and ages between 9 and 18.

I have also worked with teenagers in Albania for the British Council and had a wonderful time in Tirana.

I have been involved in Young Cultural Creators, the project that started with London libraries and the Tates Britain and Modern. These meant running workshops and making stories in the galleries in front of paintings you can find out more at their website - www.youngculturalcreators.com
 

If you scroll down the page you'll see a poem by a student - Tashan at Lambeth Academy - that came out of a YCC workshop. Thank you for letting me put your poem up here Tashan! 

I have lots of references from satisfied schools and libraries and if you are interested in getting me to visit you can get in touch with me here and I will get back to you with my rates and availability.

The mind reading is optional.

STELLA

a poem by Tashan Addoquye Eshun from The Lambeth Academy >
>

   A loved one has gone
> Time is blank
> Nothing seems the same in stella's mind
> Nana left many secrets
> Which stella had to find
> Secrets that are hidden
> In Stella's mind
> Destiny has become her wildest fear in life
> She see's things she can not explain
> Which frightens her and leads to pain
> Tears roll down her red face .
> As time goes by
> Stella unwinds she seems to take more pride.
> She realises losing a love done gains another
> In time now nothing is blank
> But for Stella seems much brighter
> Mr Evans gets what he deserves
> Suddenly Stella found a piece of her that was
> LOST!!
> 

Thank you so much Tashan and all the other students at Lambeth Academy who did some fabulous work.