My job is to
inspire all pupils to
produce work of their
highest standard through
my endless supply of
empathy, energy and
experience
 
“I know how very hard it is to find a visiting author who is knowledgable, talented and animated enough to make a real impact on children's literacy skills. Many 'on the circuit' are published and write well but not many have that 'extra special attribute' of being able to really capture our pupils' attention.

David Mason is a performance poet and author [and very much on our wavelength] who came to our school last Monday. He was colourful, funny, motivating , even exhilarating ... an absolute hit with staff and pupils alike...impact instant, well-sustained throughout the day and still having a stimulating effect on children's writing - so we are having him again on April 22nd. Hopefully, he will become a regular feature of our provision.

We cannot recommend him highly enough and would encourage schools in our cluster to contact him directly to arrange a visit.”

Lynn Brewster
Headteacher, Navenby Junior School, Lincs.

 
 
“David makes poetry fun: everyone laughs. David has an energy and enthusiasm that I could only wish for. He has good crowd control too – essential for reluctant participants. Teachers enjoy working alongside him and feel that they have learnt from him. Sessions are pacey, and well planned; words are used to create pictures in children’s minds and take them to places they may have only read or dreamed of. Writing that follows a workshop is truly delightful. David Mason – just book him, it will be money well spent!”
 
 
“The impact that David Mason's sessions can have on the long term improvement of children’s writing is phenomenal. He has been working with St Mary’s for a number of years and the children positively buzz with excitement when they know he is coming to work with them. The range of topics and genres he can cover allow teachers to shine a light into the often gloomy corners of the Literacy Framework. We have used David to work with focus groups of pupils, to inspire and enliven year 2 and 6 pupils prior to SATs, to prepare an original piece of drama for a whole class entry to a drama competition as well as poetry and story writing. I cannot recommend him highly enough!”
 

Performance
  • Poetry performed by myself to more than 50,000 pupils
  • Feedback from one high school English Department...
On Monday 6 October, Year 8 had their timetable disrupted. Their faces said it all – 'Any lesson must be better than poetry!’ David Mason, poet and author, accepted the challenge to inspire Year 8 to write poetry and . . . to possibly even get them to enjoy it.

The day began with a poetry performance in the hall. Suspicious eyes began to show a glimmer of interest as the poet walked into the hall wearing a colourful jacket and rather interesting waistcoat. English teachers, senior management and the headteacher crept into the hall – something big was obviously going to happen. Concepts of poetry as 'stuffy and boring’ were blown out of the hall as David launched into a fast, loud and hilarious 'poetry song’ about a West African boarding an alien spaceship and travelling to their planet. It was noted that giggles, even laughter, were heard in the assembly hall.

Plied with water and applause, David did not let up for the whole hour as poems were sung, read and rapped in a variety of accents. A number of pupils had to be restrained before they burst into spontaneous dance. There was definitely the 'sound of poetry’ in the corridors (between lessons!) as pupils went to their next lesson.

A series of workshops took place in the library on Monday and Tuesday (many thanks to Mrs West, who is now a poetry expert!). Even the most resistant Year 8 poets had by now succumbed to the enthusiasm of David. Every single pupil wrote original poetry on a number of themes – please note that the English teachers who could not compete with pupils’ efforts 'pretended’ to be helping. A selection of this poetry will be displayed in the English corridor and will be put together in and Anthology.

Poetry will never be the same again at Fakenham High School. Is it possible to rap Wordsworth in a Scouse accent?



I have six wonderful children and a lovely wife. We live in Norfolk in a happy, noisy house.

David and family
Photograph supplied by Photoworx North Walsham