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Professor David Burnett - Deputy Head, Westcliff High School for Boys
Writer in Residence from 2008
Westcliff High School for Boys is a selective boys’ grammar school in Southend, Essex, with a student body of 1020. On four occasions it has been rated “Outstandingly successful” by Ofsted with the extra-curricular life of the School singled out for praise. The School’s specialism is Humanities and this has been the spur to find a writer-in-residence who could visit the School regularly and work with students and teachers on drama, poetry and prose. We also wished to offer the services of a writer-in-residence to six partner schools; three primary; two special schools; and one secondary. In that way we hoped to extend the School’s extra-curricular life still further, help our own students with their studies and bring a new and exciting dimension to our work with partners.
David Mason has inspired our students. On his first visit he held the attention of our entire Year 7 and Year 8 cohorts for around 90 minutes with his clever poems and dramatic performances. They were excited by words and the images he conjured in their heads. Working with small groups of 20 students thereafter, from Years 7, 8 and 11, he crafted a workshop experience which drew young people out of their comfort zone and the routine of classroom work and into the world of being a writer. Partner schools have had exactly the same experience. They all want to have David Mason back as soon as possible.
The impact on our students has been obvious. You know you are on to a winner when around 40 Year 11 students are not going out at break time but staying with David Mason to finish their poems and asking, like modern-day Oliver Twists, “please sir, can we have some more?” The answer had to be “yes” and we brought David Mason back for workshops we had not originally planned. Inspired by the experiences we have had teachers and students, including partner primary schools’ students, writing and performing poetry for a packed hall of friends and family. The best thing is that we have only just begun and the future looks to be even more exciting.
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Broadfields Primary School, Harlow, Essex
4th November 2009 David was very practical, adapted to the needs of our school and our children. He inspired all age groups to write and think and we have been astonished by the work the children have done since the visit. He especially inspired the boys with difficulties. They are very proud of their work these week and for that reason alone his visit was worth every penny. Thank you!
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Matthew Heasman - Headteacher Broadfield Primary School, Hemel Hempstead
20th & 21st October 2009 Top week last week. As usual, your input was A1. You are really in tune with Broadfield, David. We all love you here. Looking forward to the next one....
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Sonia Bober - Assistant Head, Maple Infant School, Kingston
David's visit made our day truly special. His engaging
performances left children buzzing with enthusiasm for drama
and writing, and the teachers with more ideas for their own
teaching and desire to read more poetry. David is truly
inspirational. With just words, we took the children on a
mysterious journey which inspired them to produce writing of
excellent quality.
David's unquestionable love for words and drama, have rubbed off on the children and the staff. We
will definitely have him back!
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Caroline Sharma Literacy Co-ordinator, Cheam Common Junior School, Sutton
You connected so well with staff
and children alike - we all feel like we have known you for
ages!
It particularly bought some much needed relief and
light to some very weary year 6 staff and children. To see
them so captivated by you and your work was a pleasure to
see. We have certainly learnt a lot from you and year 6 are
going to have a go at performing a poem in the style of you
very soon!
We are also looking forward to trying out some of
the drama ideas and writing suggestions you provided.
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Elveden Primary School
Thank you for an excellent day... I'm looking forward to reading the children's finished writing later in the week. We have a celebration assembly on Friday to show each other and their parents how their writing is improving.
Head Teacher
Elveden Primary School
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Field End Infants School, Middlesex
David Mason is unique. He initially visited us for the day as part of the school’s book week in 2007 and has since returned this year for two days to work with our Year 2 classes in preparation for SAT’s writing. He acts out poems, uses drama to enthuse pupils, and delivers workshops that are fun and engaging, inspiring and motivating both pupils and teachers. 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 had started to deliver inset for teachers, what a fun day that would be. I would have no hesitation in booking him for one of these. David keeps himself up to date with current curriculum changes, which is a must in today’s fast changing world.
David Mason – just book him, it will be money well spent!
Assistant Head
Field End Infant School, Middlesex
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Praise From Attleborough Infant School
David Mason has fuelled the children's imaginations and in one day turned even the most reluctant and unmotivated children into keen and confident writers. My children have been inspired today through drama and story telling to produce some of their best work this year.
One little boy who came to me in September as a non-writer and a reluctant speaker sat at the front and read a quality piece of writing with confidence. It moved me to tears! Every school should have a visit from David. It has inspired us to carry this forward now in our own teaching.
Fran Veale
Deputy Headteacher/Y2 teacher
Attleborough Infant School
You can also see what the pupils thought in the Pupil References section.
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