What people say about the programme
Nelson Olavo-Gamboa at Selhurst School near Croydon, Surrey to Nigel Hinton:
Dear Nigel,
I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed you visiting our school and how much you telling us all those stories about how you received 48 stitches after falling off the shed and having a nail caught in your leg. I think Collision Course definitely deserved the silver pen award, you are a brilliant author and I hope to have as much luck as you in the near future (except for receiving stitches).
Year 9 Pupil from Charles Edward Brooke School responding to Dorothea Smartt's visit:
I think it was very inspirational and it's good that she came because her visit gave us insight on what her poem world is about and she is very different (in a good way) and that's why I like her because her poems were touching especially the way she read them she did it with so much feeling and she really reached out to me and all the rest of the class.
Prison inmates at Wandsworth after Gary Younge's visit:
Prison inmate A:
I think now I'll accept that people are different and expect and enjoy difference. Things shouldn't have to adapt to my way of lifestyle.
Prison inmate B:
Gary was one of the most interesting people that I've had the pleasure of meeting. He was open and honest and did not 'bullshit'. I wish I was with him on that trip as a sort of fly on the wall. I enjoyed the book immensely. The best thing was reading it. The worst thing was finishing it. (The most memorable thing was) the few words I had with him in private, shaking his hand and getting him to sign my copy of his book.
From the staff at Ilderton Primary re Beverley Naidoo's visit:
Thank you for bringing Beverley to our school. The children gained a great deal from her book, 'Journey to Jo'burg' and also the added bonus of meeting a real life author. They were thrilled to bits. The generation of work that was produced through this life-changing event in history has really helped the children to understand Apartheid, as well as the effects of prominent figures like Nelson Mandela. Even now the children talk about the performance they put on in relation to this book. We really look forward to working with you again as this was an excellent way of promoting literacy.
A pupil at Ilderton Primary School after Beverley Naidoo's visit:
"Since you came everybody is being kind to each other and making new friends and there is not any bullying and people are not getting hurt thanks to you. Thank you for coming, hope you come back."
Poetry from a pupil at Ilderton Primary School after Beverley's visit:
Lucky
I'm lucky to live here today, born in
1994 come out and play.
Knocking on heaven's door, come to see
and forget about the past the living land of fantasy.
FREEDOM AT LAST!
Everywhere is going in vain,
This is like a game of chess, why is there so much pain?
This is the biggest mess.
Why can't we agree
This is broken glass,
Every man should be free.
raise your hand and say AT LAST!
An inmate at HMP Wellingborough after Matthew Sweeney's visit:
Matthew Sweeney had a special quality about him, and when he read some of his poems they came alive. I started to look at poetry in a different light. I don't think I really gave it the credit his work deserves. He had a great outlook on life in general and made me open up my mind more to a whole lot of new stuff. I now look at different angles in situations we find ourselves in. I must say he was a breath of fresh air to Wellingborough Prison that day, and it was one of the best afternoons I have had since coming here over 18 months ago.
Tutor at Oxford's Community English School for refugees and asylum seekers after Lindsay MacRae's visit:
Students were surprised that reading, understanding and discussing poetry was within their capabilities. They gained self-confidence through attempting to write a simple poem. Seeing different aspects of the English language is stimulating for them and will make them more open and curious in future.
Special needs teacher at Phoenix Secondary School after Josephine Feeney's visit:
Pupils have finally taken on board some of Josephine's advice. They have started taking the risk of writing down ideas and not worrying too much about spelling. This has helped 'unblock' certain pupils and they are becoming more independent. Two pupils have started writing at length. One has been able to write about very personal and traumatic events in his life.
Sheila Mulhern, writer in residence at HMP Haverigg following Joolz Denby's with her novel Stone Baby:
Somebody said to me that when his daughter came on a visit after the reading he was able to talk to her because he'd felt normal again.
Meg Rosoff with students at Stamford High School
