A Selection of Cath's Books
Videos:
Cath Howe
Type of Artist:
Talks, Workshops, Readings, Panels, Teacher training events
Talks- Author of award-winning contemporary middle-grade (including Ella on the Outside and My Life on Fire) chapter-book series for age 5+ (Call the Puffins! ) and a drama resource book for teachers and drama groups, (Let’s Perform!)
My talks cover big themes in children’s lives: friendship, the transition to secondary school and family conflicts. I explore empathy and mental health. I’ve been dubbed a go-to writer for ‘tricky tweens’. My younger series is all about resilience and friendship.
I have a background in teaching drama. My workshops are flexible and creative. As an experienced teacher of English with a passion for creative writing, I use role play, props, games and images to inspire ideas.
I enjoy working with adult writers and leading workshops on retreats and at conferences. I have extensive experience of leading events and workshops with EmpathyLabUK
Workshop- A workshop on a theme to encourage creative writing, drawing inspiration from props, photos and dialogue extracts, helping writers to construct plots and mine ideas.
Reading- a reading from one of my books
Panel- An appearance on a group panel to answer questions from an audience on books, the industry and my personal journey
Teacher training event- a training session to offer advice on structuring creative writing with children, offering ideas on plotting, character and ways into stories.
Details
Preferred age range:Experienced in running writing workshops from KS1 up to adults. Preferred child age events, 8-12
Maximum number in any one session:
40 for Workshops Assembly, up to 250/300 Up to 100 for talks
No of sessions per day:
3 Sessions maximum
Session Length:
Happy to do longer workshops with smaller groups, especially creative writers. 2 hours possible.
1 hour for talks plus signing time afterwards
Areas prepared to travel to:
Within Greater London, max one and a half hours travel time each way.
Also anywhere accessible by public transport from Brighton or Cambridge (up to an hour each way)
She will consider an overnight stay if expenses met.
Transport:
Public transport only
Fees:
DBS/CRB:
Yes
Hold PLI (public liability insurance):
Yes – through NAWE
Website:
Twitter:
@cath_howe
Titles include:
“Ella on the Outside”
“Not My Fault”
“Let’s Perform!”
“The Curse of the Highwayman”
Testimonials:
Cath provides fantastic opportunities for children of all ages, with her imaginative and inspirational writing and drama workshops. As a school we really value the impact that Cath has on the children she works with, they improve in confidence, become more articulate and as a result writing levels in key stage 2 have improved dramatically.
A Davies (Assistant Headteacher, Fern Hill School, Kingston)
Cath Howe has the wonderful ability to quickly connect with her audience. She recognises the benefit of engaging with the children from the start, asking questions, listening and creating a rapport. She encourages the children to talk about their ideas, she gives them the platform to use their imagination, gain confidence, and they’re keen to participate- which is wonderful.
The tweet below is following Cath’s visit to a local school.
Another very special visit from a very talented author today! @cath_howe helped our year 4, 5 and 6 children think about how to develop story plots inspired by unusual or mystical objects.
C. Gotch, Events Manager, Tales on Moon Lane Bookshop
“Absolutely magical!” (Year 5 teacher)."
“Cath is an inspiring and motivating teacher. From the outset, she had the children engaged in their learning; they loved the opportunity to do role play and drama was central to the session, creating many opportunities for teamwork, discussion and imaginative play”
Year 6 teacher)
“I think the way you cultivated their sense of `being a writer` was great and I think will stay with them.”
Year 4 teacher
“We feel the character’s position. It makes us feel great- gives me a buzz. It’s very inspirational because she’s an author- you get actual ideas from her writing- how you could extend it and make it more your own”
Year 6 pupil
"Cath is an inspiring and motivating teacher. From the outset, she had the children engaged in their learning; they loved the opportunity to do role play and drama was central to the session, creating many opportunities for teamwork, discussion and imaginative play. We can’t wait to see what the children produce in their monologues and duologues. "
Janette Simpson, Year 6 teacher, St John the Baptist Primary School, Hampton Wick
Other information:
Cath is responsive to what schools request. Alternatively, as a qualified teacher and drama leader, she can offer workshops for writing using her own collection of props, images, music. Frequently requested themes are: empathy, transition to Secondary school, being new and friendships.