BOOKING ENQUIRIES:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Thank you for showing an interest in what I do!
From SEPTEMBER 2020 if a live event isn't possible, you can arrange a VIDEO EVENT.
I have been visiting schools all over the UK since 1998 and I estimate I have spoken to over 200,000 people. My main aim has always been to make maths and other subjects entertaining!
"A stand-up maths routine has children and teachers in fits of laughter... maths
has never been so much fun."
See the write up
from The TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT
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This is me working on a flipchart at
Hollybush Primary School, Leeds!
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WHAT DO I DO?
My sessions are based on my Murderous Maths series and other books. I do tricks, I demonstrate strange facts and illusions, and we all have some good laughs.
You'll find more details, photos and videos on my author appearances page. I'm also listed in the STEM directories.
CONTACTING ME
Please look through the options below, then when you know what you'd like me to do, please use this address for primary school enquiries:
PLANNING A VISIT
There is no limit to the number of kids I can talk to at once providing they can all see the screen and flip chart. If you're planning sales of my books of course I'd be delighted to sign and meet kids informally at any free time during the visit.
Most schools choose one of the following options:
MATHS DAY:
A maths day is based on me arriving around 10:00 and departing around 15:00 (unless talking to teachers afterwards).
- Yrs 5/6 maths session (75 mins)*
- Yrs 3/4 maths session (60 mins)*
- Yrs R/1/2 session showing some visual maths tricks for your youngest children (20-30 mins).
* These sessions can be combined to free up time for one or more of these further options if required:
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G&T session (30-60 mins) for up to 20 able kids. We make magic squares, a puzzle and my predictor cards trick. Kids each need scissors and a pencil and a copy of this sheet. Time permitting, we can also make flexagons or my dice puzzle.
- Maths Quiz for yrs 5/6. We do a short version of the quiz as described below. Kids can be split into teams working at tables, or they can run around the hall to marked areas.
- Space Talk for yrs 5/6 (plus yrs 3/4 if you like!) I explain what you can see in the night sky including how to identify planets and how eclipses work. I then describe the strange things about the different planets and what it would be like to visit them. I also explain the size of planets and stars and introduce the biggest thing in the universe!
- Big Author talk (up to 45 minutes - whole school) I can finish the visit with a whole-school event when I do some of the funny stuff from my other books including the AGATHA PARROT series and possibly a few more tricks. Some schools like to invite parents in too, and even organise books sales and a signing.
- Teacher Talk I'm also happy to talk to teachers alone showing a few ideas and activities they might like to adapt for classroom use (usually after school, up to 40 mins).
MATHS AFTERNOON:
An afternoon is based on my starting around 13:00 and departing around 15:00 (unless talking to teachers afterwards).
- Yrs 3/4/5/6 maths session (75 mins)
- EITHER Yrs 1/2 session of visual maths tricks (20-30 mins).
OR a short G&T session learning a few extra tricks or doing some makes.
- Teacher Talk I'm also happy to talk to teachers alone showing a few ideas and activities they might like to adapt for classroom use (usually after school, up to 40 mins).
MATHS QUIZ:
"What a fantastic event last Friday was - so much positive feedback from children and teachers alike! The quiz was genius! So well organised - I just loved it. Just been smiling all over again looking at the pics!"
Kerry Dalton, Headteacher,
Roecliffe CofE Primary School
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The quiz is suitable for yrs 5/6. Teams of 4-6 kids sit at tables and answer multiple choice questions and puzzles presented on powerpoint. (See pictures below). Kids also see some practical demos. Maximum number of teams depends on how big the projection screen is. A medium-sized screen is good for about 12 teams. Kids might need pencils/paper to make a few notes. I need one or two staff helpers to keep scores.
Full running time is 100 mins with a break, but I can make it shorter!
MATHS TALK and QUIZ:
If booking me for a full day, I could do a big maths session in the morning (yrs 3/4/5/6) and the maths quiz (yrs 5/6) in the afternoon.
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Questions from the Maths Quiz
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12 North Yorkshire School teams compete in the Maths Quiz!
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MIXED DAY:
A day is based on me arriving around 10:00 and departing around 15:00 (unless talking to teachers afterwards). The timetable usually runs as follows:
- Maths The main event is a big maths session (up to 75 mins). Although my primary maths talks are aimed at yrs 5 and 6, a big primary group going down to yr 3 is great fun. I do quite a few visual things, and even if the younger kids don't follow all the numeracy, they still enjoy the atmosphere. I use powerpoint and also work from a flip chart or white board.
- Maths A 20-30 minute talk for yrs 1 and 2 (so they don't feel left out!). I show off a few simple visual tricks for a bit of fun.
- EITHER Space talk (30-60 minutes). Suitable for yrs 3-4-5-6. I demonstrate the size of the solar system, how eclipses work, what other planets are like, the danger from asteroids! Requirements: projector and screen for powerpoint.
OR: Maths and Music (40 mins). Suitable for yrs 5 and 6. I explain how music is just organised sound, then show how Pythagoras discovered musical harmonies are based on fractions. I show why do some notes sound nice together and how instruments make different notes. Requirements: projector and screen for powerpoint. Please note: this is not a musical workshop!
- EITHER Author talk and Q&A (up to 45 minutes, usually to year 6, or 5 and 6 together. I suggest a maximum of about 50 kids, maybe in a classroom rather than a hall.) I spend 10-15 mins explaining how I got to be an author and then it's best if kids have pre-prepared questions which I'll answer. This usually leads to a bit of a reading/playacting (e.g. from my AGATHA PARROT novels or magic tricks.
OR: Big Author talk. I can finish the visit with a whole-school event when I do some of the funny stuff from my novels and possibly a few more tricks. Some schools like to invite parents in too, and even organise books sales and a signing.
WHERE ARE YOU?
I'm based in YORK, so if you're much more than 2 hours away I might not be able to do the full set of sessions suggested and/or the costs and travelling may be prohibitive. However if it's possible to combine your event with one or more other schools in your area, then it becomes more worthwhile for all of us!
FEES... depend on where you
are and what you want. Please use the link in the next paragraph to contact me, telling me where you are and giving me an idea of what you'd like me to do.
CONTACTING ME
Thank you for taking the trouble to read all this. If you'd like to make a primary school enquiry please use this address:
Boring but necessary...
NOISE My maths sessions tend to be quite noisy, so to minimise disruption
you are FAR better to bring as many suitable classes together for 60 mins,
rather than have me do two smaller sessions. It's also more fun and makes a much
bigger impression on the kids!
REQUIREMENTS These are all detailed on my author appearances page but generally I need:
- A projector and screen to show powerpoints.
- Something to write on - preferably flip chart with paper
- STAFF: an adequate number of responsible staff MUST be present at all times.
This is for insurance purposes and if necessary, to deal with any excessive disruptive behaviour.
DBS checks. Please read this!
DBS and visiting authors
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Full details of my sessions and everything else are at my author appearances page
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Putting some little kids and a big teacher 
From Emily in year 4, Witton Gilbert Primary School, Co Durham.
Magic assistants at the King's School, Macclesfield.
Asking for volunteers in Maesteg, Wales. 
