For Nosy Folk | The Best-Kept Secret

A Magical Day of Sensory Storytelling!

Updated: Feb 17

What an incredible day the year 6's at Rosewood Primary School had on their imaginative journey! Blindfolded and guided by their senses, the children experienced the thrill of the knight's chase over a rain-soaked Pendle Hill and sought refuge in Demdike’s mysterious cottage. It was a day filled with sensory magic - tasting liquorice root, smelling fresh herbs, rummaging through Demdike's potion chest and discovering hidden treasures.

This sensory exploration sparked their creativity as they crafted vivid descriptions of Demdike's enchanted cottage. We were blown away by the children's descriptive writing! We selected a few pieces and created AI-generated images to illustrate how their words brought their stories to life. The children demonstrated that by using all their senses and ‘showing, not telling,’ they could paint vivid pictures and transport readers into the heart of their stories.

A special thank you to the staff for making the day unforgettable and to the Year 6 children for their creativity and adventurous spirit. Even though the liquorice root wasn’t to everyone’s taste, we admired their courage to try something new!

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Frightfully affordable author visits for schools!

Updated: Feb 17

Boggarts and Broomsticks, Folklore and Fantasy, Myth and Magic This October*, treat your class to a spellbinding author session and creative writing workshop with Sophie, author of 'The Best-Kept Secret'! The magic is free; your school just covers travel and a few essential ingredients!

During our interactive and immersive sessions, we delve into the enchanting realms of folklore and fantasy, exploring mythical creatures and magical adventures. Your class will discover the secrets of storytelling and learn the tools to craft their own imaginative tales inspired by the rich tapestry of legends and lore.

Every year, Sophie generously offers a unique opportunity for schools during the last week of October, coinciding with Halloween. If you would like the children at your school to experience a two-hour author session and a creative writing workshop with Sophie for a frightfully affordable fee, please complete the form using the button below.

We understand that schools have diverse traditions and not all celebrate Halloween. Therefore, our sessions, while inspired by magic and folklore, are tailored to provide engaging content without any explicit Halloween references.

A standard two-hour session is typically priced at £175, with each additional hour charged at £60. However, during the last two weeks of October, schools will only need to cover expenses - travel costs at £0.45 per mile round trip from Clitheroe and the cost of consumables used during the Creative Writing Workshop. ( £20 per 30 students for sensory props that enhance the 'Demdike's Cottage' experience, such as fresh herbs, liquorice root, confectionery, and 'broomstick pencils' for volunteers, plus card/materials.) All we ask in return is a written testimonial from either children or staff and photos of the visit, which we can publish on the website and social media. Places are limited, so please enquire early to secure your spot! Priority will be given to schools with a high number of Pupil Premium or SEND, small village schools, those with tight budgets, and those wishing to celebrate or commiserate after a recent Ofsted inspection. We will also prioritise schools in the Ribble Valley and across East Lancashire. Sessions are suitable for KS2 only. Each session is limited to 35 children This offer is only available from Monday, 21st October, to Friday, 1st November. For further details on the content of Sophie's author sessions and creative writing workshops, testimonials and photos, please visit www.stonehillpress.co.uk/teachers

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Innovative Creative Writing Workshops for Schools

Updated: Feb 17

Are you a teacher looking to ignite your students' passion for storytelling and creativity? Our Creative Writing Workshops are designed to provide an unforgettable, dynamic experience that transforms how students approach creative writing. Tailored specifically to your school's needs, our workshops offer a unique blend of interactive, immersive activities that will captivate and inspire young minds. Here's a glimpse of what we offer:

A ONE- HOUR SESSION

Reimagining Realms

Imagine your students blindfolded, embarking on an immersive sensory journey into Demdike's world. Guided by Sophie's voice, along with audio cues and evocative scents, they are transported back four hundred years. They will experience the thrill of the 'knights chase' over a rain-soaked Pendle Hill and find sanctuary in Demdike's cottage. This exercise fine-tunes their senses and imagination, teaching them to create vivid narratives through sensory experiences.

Dragonlore

In "Dragonlore," students explore a variety of sensory-rich props to enhance their descriptive language skills. Transported back in time to Demdike's cottage, they peer into a crystal ball, listen to the enchanting chimes of witches' bells, and inhale aromatic herbs. They will taste liquorice root, turn the pages of an ancient spell book, feel the weight of King James I coins, and uncover the secrets of a potion cupboard. This sensory exploration deepens their understanding of the 'show, not tell' technique, making their writing more immersive and dynamic.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR TWO HOUR SESSIONS

The Bare Bones

Every great story starts with a solid foundation. In "The Bare Bones," students learn to identify the essential elements of story planning by exploring the who, what, when, where, and why of their tales. This brief yet insightful session equips them with the tools to construct compelling narratives from the ground up, ensuring their stories have a clear and engaging structure.

Stagecraft

Our "Stagecraft" session is a role-playing exercise that brings the "show, not tell" technique to life. Students embody different characters and scenes from "The Best Kept Secret," using facial expressions, body language, and dialogue to express emotions and experiences. This immersive approach teaches them to enrich their writing with figurative language, sensory details, and a focus on showing rather than telling, making their stories more vivid and engaging.

Magic in the Mundane

"Magic in the Mundane" challenges students to write about familiar settings with a fantastical twist. Through art and design, character mapping, and profiling, they bring their narratives to life, blending the everyday with elements of myth and imagination. This exercise fosters their storytelling skills and encourages them to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Anatomy of a Dragon

In this art and design exercise, students enhance their descriptive language and use of vivid imagery by delving into the "Anatomy of a Dragon." They will create detailed illustrations and descriptions of dragons, pushing their creative boundaries and enriching their narrative techniques.

Twisted Elements

"Twisted Elements" is a selection of creative writing games that include a mythological adaptation of Story Dice. Students roll the dice to determine the setting, character, conflict, and plot, turning the writing process into a fun and unpredictable adventure. These games stimulate creativity, quick thinking, and collaborative storytelling.

Our Creative Writing Workshops are not just about writing—they are about experiencing, imagining, and creating. We believe in the power of storytelling to transform education, and we are committed to providing an enriching, memorable experience for the children in your school.

We offer Primary Schools: