A Selection of Alex's Books
Alex Foulkes
Type of Artist:
Interactive assembly, creative workshops
Primary schools:
Interactive author assembly and Q&A (KS2): Funny, fast-paced introduction to Ministry of Mischief and to the world of being an author/writing a book. Includes fun interactive game and Q&A. Best in school hall or similar.
2) IMP FACTORY art and creative writing workshop (KS2): Students create their very own funny little monster with a name, a job and a personality all of their own! Students come away with a beautiful piece of work perfect for display or to take home - this will consist of the imp's portrait and a diary entry about their first day on the job as a Bad Luck Agent. Includes a reading from Ministry of Mischief. Best in classroom or similar.
Secondary schools:
1) Interactive author assembly and Q&A. Introduction to Rules for Vampires and to the world of publishing. Aspirational focus, getting the students to think about their own futures and aiming high in careers that can be difficult to break into. Takes about 40-50 mins including interactive GHOSTLY GAMESHOW QUIZ where we split into Team Vampire and Team Ghost! Best in school hall or similar.
2) Workshop: Horror, Gothic Literature and Rules for Vampires. Creative Writing workshop. Includes a look at horror conventions in literature and film, a peek into the Gothic (touching on elements of the sublime, the uncanny/unheimlich) but ultimately a freewriting session where students can plan something to send shivers up the spine of the reader! Very much interactive, loads of discussion, best in classroom or similar.
Details
Preferred age range:Primary: Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6 (aged 7-11 years)
I offer short author chat sessions with younger years, though I find in a school day there typically isn’t a lot of time after workshops.
Secondary: Y7, Y8 (aged 11-13)
I offer additional careers chat with older students where there is an interest in creative writing.
Maximum number in any one session:
Any number in an assembly as long as we are all safe/comfortable. One class per workshop, whatever size.
No of sessions per day:
High schools: max 4.
Primary schools: max 5 (where school would like an assembly, plus a workshop for Y3, 4, 5 and 6)
(Note: I typically spend all day in a school, this is what I’m used to. I just need a break and lunch baking into the plan or my voice goes – but I am very happy for us to have the whole day together.)
Session Length:
Up to 50 mins for assembly (this gives ten mins for shuffling in and out of hall).
Up to 1 hour for workshop.
Everything is flexible to the school’s time – if they want a session to be shorter or longer, that is no problem. I will work around the needs of the school.
Areas prepared to travel to:
Local: Based in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Can reach anywhere within about 25-30 miles for start of school day. (Recent examples: Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe, Rugeley, Cannock, Derby, Nottingham, Buxton and the Peak District.) Where I’m driving into a big city centre (i.e. Birmingham) I have to train in. From Uttoxeter train station I can reach many Midlands cities reasonably promptly.
Further afield: Would love to travel anywhere if overnight expenses are met. I typically travel the day before and stop overnight (Premier Inn just fine!) then come into school ready for start of day.
Transport:
Car 15p per mile.
Otherwise, train/taxi.
Fees:
DBS/CRB:
Yes (rolling DBS)
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
No
Website:
Titles include:
Rules for Vampires
Rules for Vampires: Ghosts Bite Back
Ministry of Mischief
Ministry of Mischief: The Takeover
Testimonials:
“It really was a joy having you yesterday – the kids are still buzzing and talking about it today, despite us having Sam’s Safari in with a real-life ARMADILLO today, just so you know your power! They really truly had the best time, all down to your kindness, good humour, and patience when besieged by chess-hungry Year 4s during a dreaded Wet Break. All of the staff members who saw your assembly and workshops have approached me to say how brilliant you were, and how perfectly-pitched your talk was, and even those who missed it have come to say how annoyed they were that they couldn’t be there, as they heard how fun it was!”
Isla Macdonald, Librarian @ St Peter’s School, York
“Alex brought pure inspiration to our pupils/student/children. They were gripped for the entire session as she spoke passionately about ‘Rules for Vampires’, exciting and motivating every creative mind in the room. Alex adapted seamlessly to her changing audience and gave all pupils, regardless of age or ability, an experience to remember.
“Alex may well be responsible for most, if not all of my class becoming authors! She inspired them to pursue their creativity and offered every one of them her time and efforts generously. The day after the visit, a child approached me to say they had spent the evening starting to write their own book. This in itself shows how impacting the session was.”
Mr Jankovskis, English Teacher @ Christ Church Academy, Stone
“Alex came to NGA to officially open our new Library and run some writing workshops for our KS3 children. Alex was engaging and adaptive; she spoke with each student as if she were there specifically for them, and she made them feel like they were the special guests rather than the other way around. During the workshops, Alex delivered a beautiful lesson that demonstrated Gothic conventions and how to apply them to creative writing. The sessions were accessible, personalised and masterfully delivered, with the children being Alex’s priority. The activities and attention to detail she showed our children was incredible. We can’t wait to invite Alex back again!”
Mrs Cox, Literacy Coordinator @ Nottingham Girls’ Academy
What a brilliant morning! Alex works magic with words and brings sparkle into school, whenever she visits. Thank you, Alex. Keep coming back!
Miss Thomas, Head of English @ Oldfields Hall Middle School
Other information:
I have six years experience as a TA (in a mainstream school – though I do visit SEN schools now as an author with an additional four years experience). During this time, I was also a school librarian. Schools are where I’m most comfortable; staff can be assured when booking me that they will have a fun and memorable day, even if things go a bit awry. I’ve had fire alarms go off, OFSTED call, rooms disappearing on timetable etc...
Instagram: @foulkeswrites