Testimonials

Fantastic start to our book week – amazing storytelling sessions with author Dan Worsley. The children and staff loved the entertaining stories. What an inspiration. Huge thanks.

Light Oaks Junior SchoolFeedback tweeted by Light Oaks Junior School, Salford

The assembly, which Dan provided, was insightful and engaging. The children found out what it was like to be an author and what they needed to do to be the best writer that they could be. Dan provided the children with inspirational comments about working hard to achieve their dreams and goals, which had a real impact on them.
Once the colourful waistcoat had been put on though, the hall erupted with laughter and giggles. Dan’s ability to draw the children in so that they are living and breathing his story was phenomenal. For ten minutes, children from Reception to Y6 were mesmerised and engrossed in his storytelling. It was truly magical to watch.

Debbie Twist, Deputy Headteacher

Writing workshops
Dan’s visit was really beneficial as he used a topic which engaged the children. It was very obvious, as a reader, what the outcome of the story was but Dan managed to help the children understand that revealing it much later on and describing the effect of feelings, rather than just stating what they are, can create an excellent impact on the reader. The fact that he came back to listen to their stories really inspired the children to do well as it gave them the opportunity to get feedback from a real life author.

Vicky Smith, Y6 class teacher

The children were challenged to use higher level vocabulary and use a variety of sentence openers and structures. The impact of the workshop was outstanding writing that truly engaged the reader.

Lisa Hodson, Y3 class teacher

Debbie TwistStanah Primary School, Thornton-Cleveleys

Dan was recommended to us by a colleague from another school and he didn’t disappoint! Both Key stage 1 and Key stage 2 were in awe of him during his assemblies as he told one of his stories. It was also an important lesson for Key stage 2 in what it takes to become a writer and how important it is to keep working hard until you achieve whatever it is that you want to. Each Key stage 2 year group thoroughly enjoyed their writing sessions with Dan and this was shown through the detailed pieces they wrote following his visit from the activity he had started with them. The children’s excitement from Dan’s visit was clear by the queue out the door of children wanting to buy his books – just the sort of enthusiasm for reading we had hoped for. Thanks Dan!

 

Emma BarkerBenjamin Hargreaves CE Primary, Accrington

Thanks so much for your inspiring presentation on reading aloud effectively at Inset. It really provided food for thought for all our teachers about what aspects create great story telling and how to really engage the children. I’ve never seen a roomful of teachers so quiet!! Can’t wait to see the story sharing across the school.

Beth LathamAssistant Principal, Unity Academy, Blackpool

We all enjoyed a fantastic morning with Dan! His assembly made us all laugh with the tale of the missing ring and the year 6 children were lucky enough to have a writing session with him. His background as a teacher is invaluable as the skills the children were developing were exactly what they needed! The children produced some of their most imaginative writing following on from this session.
A great morning for all involved – thank you!

Helen SmithCherry Fold Primary School, Burnley

What an absolutely brilliant visit from Dan today!

It is not easy to hold the attention of over 240 children, from Years 3-6 and keep them entertained and engaged for so long, yet Dan did this with ease. His assembly was fun, inspiring, informative, engaging, entertaining and absolutely hilarious, appealing to children and staff alike – I don’t know one person that didn’t come out of his assembly with a huge smile on their face, feeling like writing a story was something they could easily achieve. Hard work, determination, resilience….the way these qualities were fed through his assembly was also inspiring and sent a really positive message out to the children.

The children involved in his writing workshop today were engaged and enjoyed every minute. Thank you, Dan! If you’re thinking about booking a writing workshop in your school, look no further.

I would not hesitate to recommend Dan and will certainly be welcoming him back to our school in the near future.

Isobel ParkerClass teacher & English subject leader, Lostock Hall Community Primary School

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 CharlesworthDeputy 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 BatemanLea 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 KershawStrike Lane Primary, Freckleton

I knew from colleagues in the north-west that Dan was going to be good, but for him to be so outstanding and to engage all the pupils all day shows what a talent he is. We will certainly look at booking him in again soon, as what the pupils produced in their workshops in such a short space of time, and the inspiration he has given them, is immeasurable.

Matthew RussellAssistant Principal, St Bede's Catholic Middle School, Redditch

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 ReardonPendle 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 MusaSupport Teaching & Learning/Early Years Lecturer, Nelson & Colne College

Working with Dan Worsley over the years has been a joy; there are very few people who show the same level of commitment to engage all children to listen, read and write! Needless to say, Dan is an extremely talented writer and storyteller, but what makes working with Dan special is his ability to inspire every child and adult in a room. Whether it is for a small family workshop or a whole school assembly, Dan delivers a magical experience for all.
Inviting Dan Worsley to work with Grundy Art Gallery has been really exciting, as we’re always testing out new ideas of how we can work together to put the children’s learning first. No task is too big or too small, no challenge unaccepted, because we know working together in Blackpool requires some trial and error. We’ve developed storytelling sessions in situ to secret code breaking workshops, all with the same objective: to bring the love of literacy and creativity together.

Taneesha AhmedEducation Officer, Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool

Dan, Patron of Reading, Author in Residence – we cannot thank you enough for all the work you have put in at Boundary Primary. Nothing has been too much trouble over the year and you have gone above and beyond to motivate and inspire our children to read and write. From all the children and staff at Boundary – thank you and we look forward to more visits in the future!

Helen MoyesAssistant Headteacher, Boundary Primary, Blackpool

I can’t thank Dan enough for such an inspirational and engaging author assembly. Every child (and adult!) was captivated from start to finish and laughter was the star of the show!
So many children have enjoyed reading Dan’s fabulous adventure stories for themselves and have continued to ask when he will be back in school to tell another ‘awesome’ story!
A true inspiration and talent – Thank you Dan for the amazing work you do in getting children to fall in love with reading! See you again very soon.

Helen JonesDeputy Headteacher, Spring Hill Primary School, Accrington

Thank you so much Dan for such an inspiring and engaging author assembly! The children hung off your every word and came away feeling really enthused about reading and writing. You are not only a fabulous writer but also a very talented storyteller, we all laughed along with you in the right places and really enjoyed your tale. Can’t wait to welcome you to St Teresa’s next year.

Leanne GarrettSt Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Cleveleys

Dan’s approach when working with the children was simply captivating! All the team at Delph Side valued our time with Dan, staff and children alike.

Liz OrmerodHeadteacher, Delph Side Primary School, Skelmersdale

We were fortunate to have an author visit from Dan recently. He has such a lovely manner with the children – they hung on his every word and still talk about his stories and the writing tips they learned from him!
His enthusiasm for creative writing combined with his love of telling impossible tales make him a fascinating guest, whose energy and enthusiasm for his work captures the imaginations of our pupils.
Dan has a natural ability to communicate to children of all ages and abilities. I have been amazed and impressed at the standard of work the pupils achieved during the morning’s work – not only does he improve the pupils’ standards of writing, but their attitudes to and enjoyment of writing is enhanced as well.
I would encourage all primary and secondary schools to add Dan to their guest lists as I can guarantee they will NOT be disappointed!

David SherriffHeadteacher, Lowton St Mary's CE Primary, Leigh

Dan visited our school to tell the children about his journey as a children’s author and what’s involved in the writing process. He was GREAT! The kids were totally inspired from start to finish – you could’ve heard a pin drop as Dan told them about his life! The children were left with an eagerness to go and write their own tales after witnessing Dan’s imagination go off on all different tangents. We will definitely be having Dan back for the next academic year.

Rebecca SmithWalverden Primary School, Nelson

The children were spellbound today with a visit from amazing author Dan Worsley. Dream chasing and the resilience to achieve goals inspired everyone as we all alternated from being open-mouthed to creased with laughter. He made anything seem possible.

Rachel ShieldsBryning with Warton St. Paul's C of E Primary School

It is always wonderful to welcome Dan into Ellel St John’s and his visits never fail to be inspiring, motivational and fun for our pupils. After the success of two engaging and hilarious assemblies, Dan recently returned to deliver class-based workshops to all of our KS2 classes as well as a parents’ session. The children were enthralled and the writing they produced as a result was outstanding! Thank you Dan – we’ll see you again soon!

Jo FitzGeraldEllel St. John's CofE Primary School, Lancaster

Rubber gloves and cow pats! How could Year 7 not enjoy Dan’s stories? Even at the end of a long week they were sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation. Dan’s books are always out on loan from the library, engaging readers and supporting our ethos of reading for pleasure. We look forward to seeing you again next year Dan, for more hilarious tales which inspire our young people to pick up a book.

Lorna ClempsonLearning Resource Manager, Fleetwood High School
Dan is fantastic. His ability to engage the children (and teachers) with his story telling is effortless. His journey from ‘ordinary Blackpool lad’ to children’s author and story teller is inspirational, and demonstrates to the children the power of resilience and perseverance.
I cannot recommend Dan highly enough. If your young writers need inspiring then Dan’s your man!
Nancy SharplesBriercliffe Primary School, Burnley

Wow! What an amazing day we had when Dan visited Holy Family, Blackpool. The children were really fired up from the start and Dan’s writing workshops resulted in some wonderful writing. You never appreciate what’s on your own doorstep and this is certainly true of Dan. As a local author, Dan really appealed to the children. His book signing session was a real treat. Thanks Dan and can’t wait until you’re back!

Helen MoretonHeadteacher, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Blackpool

We asked Dan to come in to deliver storytelling to each class as well as some writing workshops for each class. The response from the children was amazing. So much so, we even had a parent of an infant child, who is a reluctant writer, personally writing to Dan to thank him for inspiring her son to write. Dan’s visit was absolutely fantastic. He has a naturally ability to engage children of all ages with his storytelling. Both the pupils, staff and governors thoroughly enjoyed his visit. We will definitely be inviting Dan back to Cop Lane.

Ian AshmoreHeadteacher, Cop Lane CE Primary, Penwortham

Dan inspired our pupils to be whatever they want to be in life. He helped them to understand the importance of not giving up and being resilient if things don’t always work out the first time. Our pupils are motivated to write and they loved hearing Dan’s funny stories and learning new writing techniques.

Christina WilkinsonHeadteacher, St Andrew's CE Primary School, Oswaldtwistle

Dan is a fantastic storyteller and author! He engages with the kids and scoops them up into his stories and tales. At Moor Park Library, we had the pleasure of Dan launching his book, ‘Impossible Tales!’ to an enthralled audience, as part of National Libraries Day 2015. It was a pleasure to see his enthusiasm and excitement about his book and being an author; feelings which soon captivated the children who clamoured to buy signed copies.

Jane BerryLibrary Team Leader, Moor Park and Anchorsholme libraries, Blackpool

Dan enthused and engaged our KS2 children with his assembly. There were laughs and groans as he told his stories in dramatic style! He also gave some inspiring messages about the importance of hard work and resilience.
The workshops were fast paced and full of interest which the children soaked up. It was great to see such a buzz around writing and reading. For one child to leave at the end saying “That’s it, I want to become an author, Dan has inspired me!” says it all really!
Thanks Dan!

Rebecca RoeSt Saviour CE Primary, Radcliffe, Manchester

The pleasure was all ours. The children were buzzing from your visit, staff couldn’t sing your praises enough and you’ve helped to encourage children to pick up a book – happy days! We have been having discussions about you coming in next year too.

Mike ColleyGilded Hollins Community Primary School, Leigh