School workshops & assemblies
Tara Coffin, Director at Learn to Love to Read
“Claire was absolutely fantastic. Her assembly captured the children's attention through a variety of photos, multiple choice questions, a reading from her book and ended with a popular children v teachers quiz. The children left the assembly more knowledgeable about key figures in Black History, knowing more about being an author and most importantly, excited to read Claire's book. The writing workshop was very well received by the children and school staff with some amazing outcomes produced. I would highly recommend Claire for school events and we hope to invite her to visit our other partner schools in the future.”
Brennan Millen, Deputy Headteacher, The Winns Primary School
“The children were absolutely bowled over by your visit and left feeling truly inspired by your stories and insights. It's not every day that they get to meet a role model like you, and your words made a lasting impression on them. Thank you once again for sparking the imaginations of our young readers and writers. We hope to welcome you back in the future!”
Margaret Boateng, Headteacher, Holmleigh Primary School
“Claire visited our school to deliver an engaging assembly for our Year 4 and 5 classes, followed by a thought-provoking Black History workshop for Year 5. Both sessions were informative, interactive, and hugely enjoyable. The sessions sparked imagination and creativity in our pupils, inspiring them to see themselves as writers. We’re already anticipating an exciting wave of time-travel stories! Claire also helped challenge common misconceptions about the history of Black people in Britain, introducing children and adults to lesser-known historical figures such as Pablo Fanque. She’s truly phenomenal—we’d love to welcome her back next year!”
Rebecca Rouillard - Librarian, Kingston Educational Trust
“Claire spoke to our Year 5s about her journey to becoming a writer, the real Black Tudors who inspired the characters in her book, and some other lesser-known but fascinating facts about Tudor history. I can highly recommend Claire as an engaging speaker with a great depth of knowledge about Black Tudors. The talk was perfectly tailored to support the curriculum, but also served to promote reading and writing for pleasure, and to celebrate diverse authors and characters. “
Megan Martin, Teacher Librarian, Nakusp School, Canada
“Thank you again for a wonderful presentation. All the teachers came and told me how much they and their students enjoyed it. I heard feedback about how prepared you were, students were very engaged, and many students now feel inspired to write. One teacher quickly caught up with me and borrowed my personal copy of your book to read to her class at the end of each day. The pages you read had them eager to know more.”
Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief explores both life in Tudor London and also the real historical Black Tudor, Reasonable Blackman, who was a silk weaver living in Southwark. It would make an excellent read for Years 4, 5 or 6 who are studying Tudors and a great way to start exploring the stories of real Black figures from British history.
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: Time Tub Travellers
Duration: 50 minutes (including Q&A)
Suitable for years 4, 5 or 6
Size: Classroom of up to 30
An interactive session that introduces why I wrote Time Tub Travellers and why I became an author. Then we dive into how you bring to life historical settings in a fictional way and use creative storytelling devices. We then create the framework of a time travel story together before letting the audience have a go at writing one themselves. After a reading from my book, the audience is asked about the excerpt and how it uses different storytelling devices to keep the reader interested and hooked into the story.
STORYTELLING ASSEMBLY: Time Tub Travellers
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Suitable for years 4, 5 or 6
Size: Year group assembly (up to 120)
An interactive session that introduces why I wrote Time Tub Travellers and why I became an author. Then we dive into how you bring to life historical settings in a fictional way and use creative storytelling devices. We then create the framework of a time travel story together with input from the audience. We finish with a reading from my book and time for lots of questions.
BECOMING A WRITER & PUBLISHING A BOOK
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Suitable for years 5 & 6
Size: Classroom to Assembly
An interactive session that looks at what it takes to publish a book. From research and reading around your chosen genre, to editing (the process and why it's important), designing a cover, and insight into the publishing industry and then marketing your book. We finish with a reading from my book and time for lots of questions.
BLACK BRITISH HISTORY WORKSHOP: Time Tub Travellers
Duration: 50 minutes
Suitable for years 4, 5 or 6
Size: Classroom of up to 30
An interactive session that introduces my love of Black British history and inspiration for writing Time Tub Travellers. We discuss why learning about Black British history is important before going into more detail about three very different Black historical Britons. Then we work together on how you could bring a historical time period to life in a fictional way to create an interesting story and we spend some time writing some examples. We finish with a reading from my book and time for lots of questions.
.
BLACK BRITISH HISTORY ASSEMBLY: Time Tub Travellers
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Suitable for years 4, 5 or 6
Size: Year group assembly (up to 120)
An interactive session that introduces my love of Black British history and inspiration for writing Time Tub Travellers. We discuss why learning about Black British history is important before going into more detail about three very different Black historical Britons. Then we dive into how you bring to life historical settings in a fictional way and using creative devices in storytelling. We finish with a reading from my book and time for lots of questions.
SCHOOL VISIT FEES
If you’re booking a visit, I am happy to arrange personalised signed bookplates for copies of my books for the children ahead of the event.
My fees are in line with what the Society of Authors recommends.
ONLINE FEES:
30 minutes = (A short reading and Q&A) £50
45 minutes = (Short workshop & Q&A) £75
IN-PERSON FEES:
£150 for one 45-60min workshop or assembly
£275 for a half day (2 workshops)
£500 full day
These fees do not include travel expenses (I will not charge travel if the visit is within Zone 4 London).
Please read this excellent guide by the Book Trust on how to organise an author visit
