Looking for a free primary school author visit to inspire the children in your school? Throughout the school year, we are delighted to offer FREE children's author visits to schools that might otherwise struggle to host an author event. Whether you are a small village school, a school facing an imminent Ofsted inspection, have a limited budget or need to impress Ofsted to secure your future, we understand the challenges you face and want to help bring the magic of storytelling to the children in your school.
For Sophie, the best part of being a children's author isn’t the writing—it’s visiting schools and meeting the children. As she often tells them during her sessions, her favourite moment is “Meeting you!”
As a dedicated school governor, Sophie understands the challenges schools face—from tight budgets to Ofsted pressures—and she’s passionate about bringing creativity into the classroom. She firmly believes that every child should have the chance to experience the magic of storytelling, no matter their school’s size or budget.
Of course, we at Stonehill Press sometimes wish she’d focus a little more on the numbers... but we wouldn’t have her any other way!
Who Can Apply for a Free Primary School Author Visit?
We offer free visits to:
Small village schools in the UK
Schools preparing for an Ofsted inspection
Schools under pressure to improve and in need of enrichment opportunities
Schools that might not otherwise be able to afford an author visit
What is included in a free school author visit?
Our free primary school author visits are highly interactive and immersive, featuring magical props, music, a bubbling cauldron, a slime-covered baby dragon, and costumes for all. During a two-hour visit, children will:
Experience an interactive, engaging storytelling session of The Best-Kept Secret
Take part in a hands-on, immersive, sensory-focused creative writing workshop
Explore folklore and legend in a fun and accessible way through 'Magic in the Mundane,' an inspiring multimedia presentation that encourages children to discover the extraordinary in the every day.
Creative Writing Workshops
Our creative writing workshops for schools are designed to spark imagination and develop essential writing skills through a range of engaging activities, including:
Sensory storytelling experiences, using blindfolds and sensory props including fresh herbs, liquorice root and mysterious magical artefacts to enhance descriptive writing
Role-playing exercises that bring characters and settings to life, helping students understand the importance of 'show, don't tell' techniques
Story structure guidance, teaching students how to plan and build compelling narratives
Imaginative exercises to encourage children to reimagine their surroundings and turn them into captivating stories
Magic in the Mundane Presentation
The 'Magic in the Mundane' session introduces children to the wonder of storytelling hidden in everyday life. This dynamic multimedia presentation connects folklore, legend, and imagination, inspiring students to see magic in their surroundings and develop their storytelling skills.
What do Schools Need to Cover
While we waive our usual author visit fees completely, we do ask schools to cover:
Travel costs to and from the school at 0.45 pence per mile
The cost of consumables used during the creative writing workshops (such as props, materials, and themed items approximately 0.85 pence per child)
What We Ask in Return
All we ask in exchange for a free visit is:
Photos of the session (with appropriate permissions)
A testimonial for our website and social media
How to Apply for a Free Primary School Author Visit
Sophie can only offer a limited number of free visits each year, and they are only available at certain times. We receive more enquiries than we have places, but we announce these opportunities on our Facebook page and blog—so be sure to follow and check in regularly to avoid missing out!
However, if you can't wait, please get in touch—Sophie believes every child should have the chance to experience the magic of storytelling, and she’ll do her best to help.
Contact us to discuss your free primary school author visit today!
