Schools - Dan Worsley

Dan Worsley was commissioned to deliver a 6 week writing project in our school. Dan enthused and engaged the pupils from the start, through sharing his own writing examples and teaching them his techniques. High level language was modelled and the children planned their writing with Dan, ‘magpieing’ ideas along the way. Staff accessed his sessions as part of their CPD to support them in developing their own teaching and modelling of writing skills. Each session layered the learning and in the days following each session the children transformed their planning into quality written pieces. Dan is an excellent role model and his dynamic personality cannot fail to excite those he works with.

Julie Charlesworth
Deputy Headteacher, Marsden Community Primary, Nelson
Dan worked with Years 3, 4 and 5 in our school, kicking the morning off with an assembly about the book publishing process and illustrations from first draft to final picture. The children and staff were engaged from the start and were enthralled by his story telling abilities (complete with waistcoat).

The class-based workshops were both inspirational and informative, resulting in some excellent character description from all abilities of children. Dan was dynamic in his delivery which kept the children on task, willing to have a go and share ideas. Emphasis on vocabulary and grammar linked closely to the National Curriculum expectations for these children.

It was an excellent morning which left us all buzzing with excitement and with several new tools for staff and children to utilise.

Mrs Bolton & Mr Bateman
Lea Endowed C of E Primary School, Preston
Dan Worsley came for his third visit to Strike Lane Primary School. The children, as usual, were very excited to see Dan and hear all his wonderful tales.
Dan’s ability to capture the children’s imagination is beyond wonderful; it truly is a gift to tell stories that engage the whole audience, children and staff alike. Not only is Dan a wonderful author and storyteller but he’s also a talented performer, his stories were brought to life in front our eyes with the help of his ‘storyteller’s waistcoat’.
Thank you again for bringing your tales to our school.

Rachel Kershaw
Strike Lane Primary, Freckleton
Dan came to Langholm St.Leonards today to launch our Book Week. He had the whole school totally hooked on his Impossible Tales and then continued to inspire all our infant classes with more storytelling. Can’t wait to invite you back. Thank you.

Judy McMahon
St Leonard's CE Primary, Langho
Gripping. Thrilling. Truly Spectacular!
From the second Dan walked into our school the children were filled with excitement, anticipation and a hunger for reading…of course helped along by the appearance of his jazzy waistcoat! His story telling assembly showed our children just how they can take the everyday occurrences and turn them into stomach churning, eye popping, side splitting stories.
During the writing workshop, Dan’s passion for what he does came through and inspired the children to think about how the use of vocabulary can hook an audience and create a shared image of what the author wants the reader to create from their books.
We cannot wait to have Dan back again, we’re eagerly anticipating the release of the next book!

Natalie Reardon
Pendle Primary Academy, Nelson
We were fortunate to have an author visit from Dan. He has an exquisite way with the students – they hung on his every word. Dan read a few passages from his book, his approach to this and talent had the audience gripping onto their imagination and craving more. I would encourage all Primary, Secondary and Further Education organisations to add Dan to their guest lists.

Nazmin Musa
Support Teaching & Learning/Early Years Lecturer, Nelson & Colne College

Visiting schools is the best part of writing for children. I offer a range of activities and regularly visit primaries and high schools across the North West of England, delivering half-day sessions. Details of the sessions can be found below:

Author assembly

Skype session

Storytelling session

Writing workshop