I’m delighted to offer author visits to schools and libraries for students in Years 4-7.
I offer interactive assembly talks for whole year groups as well as creative writing workshops for individual classes and smaller groups. All sessions include readings from my books and plenty of time for questions and answers.
My school visits based on The Great Bear Breakout are particularly suitable for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 who may be studying the Victorians, and can thus support both literacy and history learning in upper KS2. After talking about how I wrote the book, and the surprising discoveries I made while researching it, I explore life in Victorian Britain with an interactive quiz and an opportunity for children to dress up in Victorian costume.
I am flexible as to the length and content of the visits, so feel free to discuss with me your school’s or library’s particular needs.
Fees for author visits start at £150. To check availability and arrange a booking, please contact me via email on crr1@btinternet.com.
'Thank you so much for coming to see us. The children were really animated after the session; I could tell they really enjoyed hearing about your books. It was also lovely to see how well they worked collaboratively to create the story together. So often our writing in school focuses on a specific text or genre, so this felt like a really refreshing and inspiring experience for them.'
'Catherine gave an inspiring presentation to Y7 & 8 students on creative writing which gave students useful and practical tips on how to develop their own settings and characters. Students especially liked hearing about her research on the Great Fire of London for her book; she was so knowledgeable and had a lovely manner with the students. Students enjoyed being able to ask Catherine questions and having her sign their copies of her book.'
'Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed meeting author Catherine Randall this morning; they had a great time completing a workshop using her book ‘The White Phoenix’ as a stimulus.!'
'Catherine Randall delivered an excellent and emotive reading of her novel, and a really fun creative writing workshop to Y7 students at Kingsdale Foundation School! The students loved the opportunity to speak with a published author about how to bring their narrative ideas to life, as well as the careful research that went into The White Phoenix. Catherine was super engaging and encouraging, and brought out the imaginative best in our students. Thanks!'
Tamsin Rutter, Teacher of English
Kingsdale Foundation School, London
'Catherine read an extract from The White Phoenix and gave a fascinating talk about her book and the writing process with reference to all the historical research involved. Catherine adeptly engaged her audience and answered a wealth of insightful questions from the students who were very eager to learn from the first-hand experience of a real-life author. Catherine was enthusiastic, erudite and engaging and we would be delighted to welcome her back to talk about any future books.'
Emily Gwynne and Claire Didiot-Cook,Head of English and Acting Head of Libraries
Lady Eleanor Holles School, Middlesex
I have been presenting Great Fire Workshops in local schools for several years. Dressed in seventeenth-century costume, I assume the role of Mistress Hopper, the owner of a bookshop by St Paul’s Cathedral which has just burnt down in the Great Fire. Mistress Hopper describes her escape from the fire as though it has only just taken place, and interacts with the children as though they are discussing the latest news from London together. A PowerPoint presentation showing maps and paintings of the Great Fire helps to bring it to life.
The children are then encouraged to write and draw postcards to send to friends in other cities, asking for help to rebuild London. The children are also given the opportunity to dress up in seventeenth-century style with bonnets, aprons and cloaks.
For more information, prices and bookings, please contact me via the Contact page.
'Mistress Hopper took the girls back to the momentous night of September 2nd, 1666, and immersed them in the facts and emotions of the event. It was an experience they would remember for a long time. We will definitely invite her back.'
Mrs Travers, Year 2 teacher'Whether it be an introduction to the topic, or a consolidation of learning, Catherine brought the Great Fire of London to life through her role as Mistress Hopper. The children were all thoroughly engaged in the activities which were pitched perfectly for the age group.'
Sara Hunt