Inspire Reading for Pleasure Workshop

Epic Tales

A Fabulously Fun Way to Unlock Their Love for Reading

'Our reluctant readers have become recreational readers' ' this is what we're used to hearing from schools we visit even after a single day. Equipped to engage with reading in a more meaningful way, all your learners can...

• improve their critical thinking;

• raise their attainment; and

• develop a habit proven to support social confidence, mental health, and more.

You can book our Reading for Pleasure visits for your whole school, a year group, or even a selected small group of learners.

Where we travel to

We can visit your school in:

What activities are available during this school workshop?

We recommend your storytelling author meets as many of your learners as possible in an opening assembly. Not only does this allow them to enthuse your whole school about the day ahead, it removes the need for introductions in later breakaway sessions.

With breakaway sessions of 30'55 minutes for up to 90 learners each, your author will share a story with strong links to stories that they already know, opening their eyes to the interconnectedness of stories, books, and other kinds of media. This is the easiest way to enthuse everyone in your school to read for pleasure.

With breakaway sessions of 60+ minutes for up to 40 learners each, your author will guide your learners through fun and exciting activities designed purely to ignite an eager interest in reading more. This is the best way to support specific groups of learners.

In all cases, the sessions are tailored for the age range and abilities of the learners in the room ' from Early Years to Sixth Form, and everything in-between.

Your complimentary after-school CPD will focus on skills and activities your educators can use to further encourage reading around your school, and your author will leave you with a complimentary copy of the 224-page handbook 'All the Better to Read You With: Stories & Lessons to Inspire Reading for Pleasure'.

Which curriculum topics do we cater for?

English Workshop

Fairy tales Myths and Legends Storytelling Reading for pleasure Roald Dahl Shakespeare Charles Dickens World Book Day

Even before the IoE proved reading for pleasure has "powerful influence on children's cognitive development," schools were thanking us for inspiring their learners to read. Whether EY phonics, KS2 comprehension, or GCSE comparison of author styles, the motivation for learning begins with enjoyment.

By sharing the folkloric background to many works by some of their favourite authors (e.g. JK Rowling, Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson, etc), as well as those they often have to study (e.g. Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, etc), we heighten the curiosity of your learners as to how the writing of the past can influence the lives of the future ' often in ways that go excitingly beyond the subject of English alone.

We will also show your learners the link between storytelling and survival, helping them to identify what it is that makes a story worth reading. Armed with this knowledge, they quickly grow their reading stamina.

All our afternoon or full-day bookings come with complimentary teacher CPD as standard, equipping your staff with the knowledge and resources required to further raise reading for pleasure around your school. You'll also be left with a complimentary copy of our handbook, 'All the Better to Read You With', which has received praise from teachers all around the country:

"These stories, lessons, and skills provide us with a way to 'teach' reading for pleasure that works.' ' Toria Bono, Year 4 Lead, Brighton

'At last! A fresh, accessible guide to encouraging young people to read for the joy of it. Should be part of every teacher's toolkit.' ' Ian Whybrow, English Teacher, Cambridge

"Demystifies everything about encouraging reading for pleasure, and makes it all appear within reach.' ' Jo Phillips, Headteacher, Peterborough

'I tried a couple of these lessons with my Year 1 and 2 children, and they are now well and truly addicted!' ' Karen Baines, Assistant Head, Manchester

'Thanks to this book, reading for pleasure in my class is higher than before.'
' Mrs Murphy, Year 4 Teacher, Portsmouth

What size groups do we cater for?

0'90

Larger groups can occasionally be catered for ' please contact us to discuss.

Access for visitors with disabilities

N/A

Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Yes We certainly can. Please use the form below to let us know your group's specific SEN requirements and we will get back to you with more information on how we can tailor our learning experience for your children.