James Carter

Type of Artist:

Poet / Non-Fiction Writer / Musician / INSET Provider / Ambassador for National Poetry Day

FOR EY - KS1 - KS2 - KS3

POETRY PERFORMANCES

POETRY WORKSHOPS
INSET DAYS
G&T DAYS
SHORT/LONG TERM RESIDENCIES

For lively, buzzy and creative poetry days in Primary schools, to inspire teachers as much as children, I offer -
Separate KS2 / KS1 / Foundation assemblies, followed by 4 workshops in the classrooms (v happy to double up if two/three form entry) then a big Finale back in the hall - I MC this - with children reading their poems. I do modified versions of this in Infant and Junior schools.
If I do a mini-residency, ie two days back-to-back, I also offer either a) a free twilight INSET to teachers/TAs or b) a Family Fun Session – parents/children enjoying writing together. Take your pick!
I also offer G&T days – can be for Years 5 and 6 or 3 and 4, and either for a single or multiple schools. Max 30 children.

My INSET day is based on my (award-winning!) teachers’ book Let’s Do Poetry In Primary Schools! and is a very fun, practical and cross-curricular course giving Primary teachers plenty to take straight back to the classroom.

I can also offer:
a space/science non-fiction/poetry day based around my new non-fiction picture book Once Upon A Star
(for KS1/KS2 – both or either!).

With Infants, I tend stick to this model as it works really well -

KS1 assembly (30 mins)
Visit to Reception classes (20 mins – double up classes)
Visit to Nursery (15 mins) – if relevant
Workshops for Years 1 and 2 – 30 mins each
Then Finale – Year 1 and 2 in the hall – up to 30 mins

Details

I work with Foundation / KS1 / KS2 / and in KS3 up to Year 7. I’m just as happy doing bubble and bug poems with rising 5s as I am talking imagery and metaphor with Year 6!

Workshops (always in classrooms) – up to two classes / performances in halls – the sky’s the limit!

As above, a whole day that starts with performances in the hall, workshops in the classrooms and a Finale back in the hall. I like to be really BUSY! Put simply, I love my job and I want teachers to be really happy with the day - with the children engaged, enthused and inspired and having written some wonderful poems!

Performances – KS2 and KS1 – 30 mins
Foundation – 20 mins.
Workshops – 40/45 mins – children will have to write beyond this time to develop/craft their poems.

At festivals I do a 1 hour KS2 or a KS1 performance that also includes a mini workshop.
For KS2 – The World’s Greatest Space Cadet based on my Bloomsbury book, for KS1 – Zim Zam Zoom! – based on my Otter-Barry book.

I mainly catch trains, unless within a thirty mile radius of South Oxon – it means I turn up at every school very smiley and raring to go!
I tend to mainly work anywhere between Bristol in the West, Ashford, Kent in the East. Birmingham in the Midlands and Brighton in the South – but I will indeed travel further, and have been to Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Cornwall, Cardiff, not to mention Norway, Spain, Germany and France!

Unless very local – ie South Oxon, West Berks,
I catch a train

Please email us for details

Public Liability Insurance

James Carter's website

All poetry collections unless indicated -
The World's Greatest Space Cadet

Zim Zam Zoom!

Journey To The Centre Of My Brain
I’m A Little Alien!

Hey, Little Bug!
Once Upon A Star (picture book)
The Story of The Electric Guitar/Wolf (non-fiction)
The Big Beyond - the story of Space Travel (non-fiction)

Just Imagine (creative writing)

Let’s Do Poetry In Primary Schools! (poetry manual)

‘OUTSTANDING!’ Ofsted Inspector in a Cheltenham Primary School

‘Best author visit we’ve ever had!’ School Librarian, Hampshire

‘Every school should have a visit from James Carter!’ KS2 English Co-ordinator in South London Primary School

James Carter is an exciting new voice – imaginative and innovative. Children will love his poems’Jacqueline Wilson

‘James was very inspiring!’ Year 5 boy

‘It was an amazing experience and it really helped me to develop my writing.’ Year 6 girl

‘Best INSET I’ve ever been to!’ KS2 teacher, Oxfordshire.

‘James Carter was a breath of fresh air in our school. He changed the children’s concept of poetry and poets. The children were enthralled by his unique approach to writing and the work they produced in his workshop was exciting.’

English Coordinator, Oxfordshire

‘James gave us a lovely day – it was just what we wanted and to be thoroughly recommended! Miniature people (+ grown-ups!) are privileged to spend time in his company...very inspirational wordplay and just right for our book week. Our school endeavours ‘to make the curriculum irresistible to children’ and ‘to weave magic’. James did just that.’ Headteacher
of Primary School, Surrey