School Visits

Catherine Robinson is a regular and popular visitor to both schools and libraries; as well as being a children’s author she is also an accomplished musician and teacher and has extensive experience of working with and inspiring learners of all ages and abilities.

Visits to schools, libraries or other educational establishments usually take the format of either Author Talks – with plenty of opportunity for all those burning questions about what it’s really like to be an author! – or Creative Writing Workshops. There is almost unlimited scope for these sessions, which are generally most suitable for KS2 and KS3 but can be adapted for younger age groups or tailor-made to suit GCSE/A level English students who have a more specialized interest in the mechanics and techniques of writing.

Catherine is always happy to work closely with teachers to devise a visit or workshop most suitable for your particular school, class or group; get in touch with her via the Contact page to discuss your requirements and suggestions.

Testimonials:

"Her enthusiasm, knowledge and ability to grip the children’s attention was a  pleasure to watch, and the quality of the ensuing competition entries a fulsome confirmation of that inspiration."

Anthony Hose
Artistic Director, Llandudno Festival

"Catherine Robinson's visit to our school provided the injection of enthusiasm we were hoping for. She has the ability to talk to the children and engage their interest, and then builds upon this to give us a basis on which to work. The children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, and the work they produced later certainly bore testimony to Catherine’s own enthusiasm and expertise."

Carol Thomas
Class Teacher, Ysgol Llandrillo yn Rhos

"The fact that Catherine Robinson has returned to Eirias High School for the eighth year in a row is testament in itself to our delight in her presentations.  She has worked on two different levels with the students: a presentation on the process of being published and a workshop on creative writing.

Both sessions have been warmly received by the students.  She is excellent with all ability level s and has worked with Years 7, 8 and 9.  The workshops have been trialled successfully this year and the students thoroughly enjoyed their session on dramatic opening s and avoiding clichés.  Catherine has a lovely manner with the students and always prepares the sessions well so that students are engaged throughout.

We would recommend Catherine for an author visit to any Primary or High School.  Her adaptability is patently clear and her enthusiasm for literature and writing is infectious."

Hayley Blackwell, Head of English
Michele Jones, Librarian, Eirias High School          

Separator

Other Educational Projects

In addition to the more usual school visits, Catherine also has experience in many other areas involving writing, leading workshops and public speaking; the following examples are just a selection:

  • Author talks to various adult groups (eg WI, Mothers’ Union, adult learners, National Housewives’ Register, University of the Third Age, church groups, pensioners’ groups etc)
  • Leading Creative Writing Workshops for adult learners
  • Leading Creative Writing workshops at a local theatre, linked to upcoming productions
  • Creating a Living History character for an historic house/museum; the ensuing script involved extensive research and fulfilled National Curriculum cross-curricula requirements
  • Writing original stories and scripts for EFA usage
  • Writing original scripts and adaptations for BBC Radio Schools’ Service
  • Writer-in-Residence at Arts Festivals
  • Adjudicating children’s writing competitions

To discuss your requirements and suggestions for your own particular project, please get in touch with Catherine via the Contact page.

Testimonials:

"Catherine's ability to inspire creativity in children makes her an exceptional teacher.  Her enthusiasm is infectious as she opens a door in young people's minds into an exciting world of writing full of incredible possibilities.  Her workshops at Bodelwyddan Castle have used traces from history as a starting point for all kinds of strange and wonderful stories, inspiring the participants to look at the world about them in entirely new ways.  We hope to work with Catherine a great deal more in the future."

Morrigan Ellis
Deputy Director, Bodelwyddan Castle Trust

"Catherine Robinson has worked with oral history project ‘Stori Pen’ delivering a creative writing project with primary schools in Penmaenmawr, North Wales. Catherine had great rapport with the children, firing their imaginations with her stories of life in the past, and encouraging them to produce writing full of excitement and atmosphere.

Stori Pen is delighted with Catherine’s work, and we are looking forward to working with her on similar projects in the future."

Juliet Greenwood
Coordinator, Stori Pen Cyf.