School Visits

"To fully appreciate these two, they have to be seen - and heard. No amount of adjectives really do them justice."
Chris De Lacey, writer.

"From your visit I have learned that writing is fun and adventurous, not just boring and rubbish like I used to think it was."
Year 5 pupil, UK.

AUTHOR VISITS

Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore are among the cream of writers who provide brilliantly entertaining and inspiring visits to schools and libraries across the world.
They also make regular appearances at Literary Festivals. These include: Edinburgh, Cheltenham, NCBF, Bath, Hay on Wye, Swansea and Birmingham Young Readers.

As ex-teachers, they are well able to respond to your needs and deliver interactive sessions across the age ranges.

These sessions have been described as:

"entertaining", "hilarious", "brilliant" and "mad"!

The 2 Steves say:
We can offer a range of sessions, and are always willing to discuss any needs/requirements that an educational establishment may have, so that you can get the very best out of the visit.
Although it is not a legal requirement for schools to ask authors if they have been CRB checked, we are pleased to tell you that both Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore have been CRB checked at enhanced level (and passed!).

The 2 Steves are available for school / library / festival visits – wherever they may be! We have visited hundreds of schools and as ex-teachers, have a good understanding of schools and library-based work
We can work with Key Stages (1,2,3 and 4) and can also undertake 6th form work.
We have produced a guide to organising school visits, which you can download by clicking here.
This has been adopted by both The Society of Authors and the UK organisers of World Book Day. It is intended as a positive guide for getting the most out of a visit.

If you would like to contact us regarding a visit, click here.

For information of present fees and booking details, click here.

HOW TO BE AN AUTHOR
A presentation on what is entailed in being “an author” and writing from personal experience.
This session encourages students to regard themselves as writers and to value their experiences as source material for their work. It also promotes self-esteem and aims to encourage even the most reluctant writer to help realise their potential. There may also be time for a Q & A session.
Suitable for: Yr 5 upwards
Numbers: 20 – 250+ these are negotiable depending on age of students and size of room. If numbers rise above 250, we may have to have a suitable PA system in place (2 lapel radio mikes)
Time: 45 – 75 minutes
(Steve Barlow or Steve Skidmore may be able to offer this session on an individual basis. Please contact us for further details).

THINGUMYBOB
An interactive play reading with lots of audience participation / role play. There is potential for follow up activities in drama, art and other curriculum areas.
Suitable for: KS1, lower KS2 (Yrs 3/4)
Numbers: 25 – 120
Time: 45-60 mins

I HERO
A lively and funny interactive literary game show based on our I Hero series.
Audience: KS2 (all yrs) Yr 7s and mixed audience (families and friends)
Numbers: 60 – 300 (more may be possible by agreement)
Time: @60 minutes

CHALLENGER
A lively, interactive literary game show, based on our Challenger series.
Audience: Yr 5/6/7 and mixed audience (families and friends)
Numbers: 60 - 300 (more may be possible by agreement)
Time: @60 minutes

HIT AND MYTH!
This lively and hysterically funny show is based on our Mad Myths series.
It is a fully interactive literary game show centred around Greek myths and legends.
Audience: KS2 (all yrs) Yr 7s and mixed audience (families and friends)
Numbers: 60 – 300 (more may be possible by agreement)
Time: @60 minutes

WRITING WORKSHOPS
May be combined with any of the above sessions. The aim of the workshops is to:
• enthuse students about the writing process
• give students confidence in formulating and planning their work
• encourage students to concentrate on specific use of language for maximum effect
Audience: Yrs 5/6 / KS3 / KS4 and 6th Form
Numbers: No more than 60
Time: negotiable, but at least 60 minutes
Please contact us for more details of this session.

TRANSITION DAYS
We can offer a combination of the above sessions as part of a transition day for yr 6 students visiting their new secondary school.
Please contact us for more details.

DRAMA WORKSHOPS
We also offer interactive drama workshops using conventions such as role play, hot seating, forum theatre, still images, improvisation etc.
The theme of these can be negotiated and may be used in conjunction with an “author” visit.

EVENING EVENTS
These are becoming more popular with schools inviting a paying audience of parents and friends for an after-school session in order to:
• Involve parents and the PTA in a literacy event
• Help cover some of the costs of the visit.
We usually recommend one of our literary game shows for this event as it is appropriate for all ages and works on many levels!

WRITERS IN RESIDENCE
We are also able to offer a Writer in Residence scheme.
This could be spread over a period of time, with support being offered via e mail/web cam.
Please contact us for further information about these options.

INSET
We can offer sessions on:-
“Struggling” Readers
Creative Writing
Active Learning
Engaging and Enthusing Boys to Read
We can also deliver Key Note speeches for conferences.
Appropriate fees can be negotiated for these sessions.

NUMBER OF SESSIONS
The maximum number of sessions in a single day is usually 3 x 1 hour (ish!) presentations.
These may be combined with classroom workshops in which we would work with smaller groups for extended periods. Please contact us for more details.

REQUIREMENTS
For all sessions: an appropriate space big enough to accommodate the audience with some left for us!
For most sessions we need table(s), a 13 amp electrical socket, a jug of water and glasses (to drink from, not to see out of!)
If there is a large audience, we may have to ask for a PA system (2 radio lapel mics and 1 stand radio mic).
Please read our guidelines for a school visit.

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS NEGOTIABLE
We aim to be as flexible as possible to meet your requirements and enable you to get the most out of the visit.
For information of present fees and booking details, click here.

BOOKINGS FOR 2011 AND BEYOND!
If you'd like a 2 Steves' visit in 2011, please get in touch ASAP - we are being booked up months in advance and are already taking bookings for 2012!