Town Close School, Norwich
"The results were superb. The children were really motivated to experiment with vocabulary and were then desperate to share these with the rest of the group. Furthermore they couldn't wait to continue their stories both in class and at home.

"He led the children through the stages involved in creative writing, working them hard without them realising it, to achieve results which children of all abilities could be proud of. A most enjoyable morning and certainly value for money."
Nicki Hennings, SENCO and English teacher

St. Nicholas Priory Middle School, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
"David Mason is in tune with children of all ages and abilities. He has a great enthusiasm for literature which he is able to communicate in a variety of ways. It was super to watch him working particularly with S.E.N. pupils with whom he had great patience and affinity.

"Staff found him well prepared and David's visits required the minimum of preparation by the school."
Marjorie Ellis, Literacy Co-ordinator

Reepham High School, Norfolk
"What we really valued was that they began to understand that poems cannot just be written all at once, rather there is a creative process to go through and the work needs drafting and re-drafting. Every pupil was fully involved from our weak pupils through to our most able."
Rebecca Staples, Head of English

Reepham High School, Norfolk
"David proved a great success. His poetry ranged from the thought-provoking to the humorous. Children loved hearing him read his work. If you want to put on a similar session, I recommend David to you. I hope he comes here again. He has clearly gone the extra mile to give us value for money, for which we are extremely grateful."
Christopher Hassell, Head Teacher

Norwich High School for Girls, Norfolk
"David works with the classes all day in collaboration with the teachers and everyone benefits from his visits. He is lively, witty and friendly, and he has an excellent understanding of the girls' needs.
Ros Cordiner, Class Teacher

North Walsham Junior School, Norfolk
David provided an extremely worthwhile creative writing workshop for 100 children with wide-ranging abilities. In the short term, he has inspired them with his poetry readings and creative techniques prior to Key Stage 2 SATs with his unique style. In the long term, he has given them writing skills that they can apply to a range of writing contexts. Excellent value for money and a very inspiring day for both children and adults."
Michaela Warner, Literacy Co-ordinator

Aylsham High School, Norfolk
"I know that many of the students were pleased with their efforts, which was due in the main to your skilful teaching and to the time and encouragement that you gave to each individual. I hope you will have great success with your workshops and we certainly look forward to seeing you back here again in the future."
Morag Harrhy, Librarian

Drayton Middle School, Norfolk
"His step by step approach to story writing helps the children to produce high quality stories which they feel proud of. David's tips and ideas are continually referred to throughout the year and help to improve writing (handy for SATs too!)."
Esther Cope, Class teacher

Lingwood First School, Norfolk
"He was an excellent role model to encourage writers -- particularly boys. Every chlid fully participated in the session and produced cogent pieces of writing very valued by their authors and of a consistently high standard."
Michele Otway, Deputy Head Teacher

Mundesley First School, Norfolk
"David Mason -- story-teller, poet and champion of children's creativity was a sure hit with both children and adults. Lively, child-risqué language, but with the creative skills and techniques he explored with the children are continuing to pay their dividends in their written work."
Jeanette Thompson, Head Teacher

Terrington St. Clement Primary, Norfolk
"By the end of the day, one hundred good pieces of work had been produced. He is not a 'boring' teacher and during a long, hard-working day, led the children through various stages of story-writing."
Mrs. S. Brett, Acting Head Teacher

Worstead Primary School, Norfolk
"He is keen to work in partnership with the class teacher, where specific end of Key Stage targets can be addressed and reinforced in his workshop sessions."
Max Brooker, Class teacher

Wimbledon Chase Primary School, London SW19
"David Mason has the wonderful ability to be able to lead children and staff through the creative writing process. He provides a helpful and very structured framework for writing that supports children with little confidence, whilst extending and developing the ideas of the most able. His flexible and approachable style resulted in a tailor-made programme to suit our school and year group needs.

" He really appears to enjoy his work and has a great sense of humour. The children and staff can't wait to have him back!"
Nicola Gunning, Year 5 Co-ordinator

Wimbledon Park Primary School, London SW19
"I was able to sit in on the first two sessions of your workshop and I was delighted with what I experienced. You skilfully developed a relationship with the children using a variety of poems, songs and a story. The children were encouraged to interact which increased their interest and enthusiasm.

" Every child was on task and I was amazed at the responses that many of the children made, using their visual memories."
June Pack, Head Teacher

The Priory Church of England Middle School, London SW19
"Thank you for spending the last two days with our year six children. You taught 120 children -- we have 150 in year six.

" The class teachers and the children have responded very positively to your visit. My own group said that they found you interesting because you used your own work to teach them about exciting openings for stories and how to grab the reader's interest right from the start. You also reiterated many of the objectives that I had been teaching them that arise out of the National Literacy materials. I will be inviting you back to work with our year five children in the Spring term."
Angeles Walford, Head Teacher

St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, London SW19
"Many thanks for a very enjoyable and stimulating day at the end of last term. The children gained much from your enthusiastic and supportive input and we saw a marked improvement in the quality of pupils' written work.

"Staff also learnt much and will use your ideas in follow up lessons. Thank you once again for an excellent day."
Vanessa Vaughan, Head Teacher

St. John Fisher School, London Borough of Merton
"I am pleased to recommend the author David Mason, to any school interested in developing writing with their pupils. David worked with each class developing their writing skills. He led the children through each stage, stimulating creative ideas, encouraging them to extend their writing and think of alternative, more descriptive vocabulary.

" The children worked hard and were justifiably proud of their stories, very keen to share them with the class. The teaching staff too, at the end of the day, had lots of useful ideas for improving children's writing."
Pat Price, Class teacher

Churchfields Junior School, Redbridge, London
"Each day began with him reading selected pieces of his own poetry to a highly amused and thoughtful year group audience. This time (3/4 hour) was extremely valuable, inspiring pupils and paving the way for a very successful day's teaching.

"Mr Mason endorsed teachers' comments and by working alongside the class teachers, gave inspiration and many new ideas to the staff themselves. Mr Mason accomplishes two distinct goals in his visits: (1) he inspires staff and pupils via his own poetry and story-telling; (2) his skills in teaching produce an academic end point during the day."
Tracy Frackelton, Deputy Head Teacher

Nightingale Primary School, Wood Green, London
"David Mason has left a lasting impression on the minds of both the adults and the children of Nightingale Primary School. He is excellent value for money, has raised the profile of poetry and story-writing in the curriculum and has left us all greatly inspired."
Judith Michaels, Literacy co-ordinator

Wimbledon Chase Middle School, London
"I am pleased to recommend the author David Mason to any school interested in developing story-writing with their pupils. On three occasions at this school, he has spoken to and worked with large groups of children. He is a very approachable and likeable person, inspirational in his teaching and dealing with children."
Ian Hardy, Head Teacher

St. Just Primary School, Cornwall TR19
"David Mason will provide an unforgettable experience for children in your school. He has the ability to inspire them to write with renewed creativity and to discover as deep love of language that no text book can begin to provide. The quality of writing that results from his sessions is truly stunning. You will find children using simile, alliteration, personification and making breath-taking vocabulary choices within their own work.

" David Mason works effectively with all ages and levels. His great strength lies in his ability to raise children's self-confidence and to develop in children a really positive attitude to writing. He is serious, yet entertaining, intellectual, yet light-hearted. He is a super role model whom both girls and boys desire to follow. Invite him to work in your school. It is money well spent."
Rosie Fenn, Acting Head Teacher

Wanborough Primary School, Swindon
"A very big 'thank-you'! We have all had a wonderful time and learnt loads -- teachers and pupils! David provided an excellent role model for all the children -- the youngest and the oldest. His enthusiasm has rubbed off on all and as a result brilliant stories have been produced and I'm sure will continue to do so."
Lisa Muntz, Class teacher

Even Swindon Junior School, Swindon
"David Mason visited Even Swindon Junior School to teach a Creative Writing Workshop based on his book, 'Pedro's Magic Shoes'. Not only is David a talented storywriter but also an impressive poet. The experience has left a lasting impression on the children.

" The whole day was a great success. David raised the profile of Story Writing and inspired the minds of both adults and children. He is excellent value for money and we will definitely be booking David again. David Mason's visit to Even Swindon Junior School was an experience the children will never forget."
Samantha Lawton, Acting Deputy Head

SATs (and how I can help)
Excerpt from a reference from Wimbledon Chase Primary School, London SW19:
"English data analysis: As you can see we achieved a huge increase in our writing performance. This was due in part to your help and inspiration with both children and teachers."

What Ofsted says about my teaching
Excerpt from Ofsted report at Little Plumstead primary school, Norfolk:
"Exemplary teaching, as a result of great subject expertise and skill in word play, was observed during a Year 6 session taken by a visiting poet. Activities such as this considerably enhance the curriculum and contribute to the good standard evident."