Workshops and Readings
Readings
Mandy is a popular reader at literature and poetry venues throughout the UK. She recently read at the Aldeburgh Festival and as a guest with Liverpool’s Dead Good Poets Society. She has also been a guest reader with the Arvon Foundation. Mandy is happy to combine afternoon workshops with evening performances.
"Thank you for a great evening. You bring poetry alive and deliver the excitement it holds… Immensely enjoyable!" Salisbury House, London.
"Mandy Coe's poems make us see things: they transfigure that world-around-us we think we know but really only half-see." Matt Simpson
"One of the best nights we've ever had. You made us laugh and listen to poetry in a new way." The UKSD Conference, Liverpool.
Author’s Visits
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
“Mandy Coe is one of our most exciting poets writing for children.” Pie Corbett
As a visiting author, Mandy regularly works with schools and colleges (all Key Stages and INSET). An educator and co-author of the UK guide, ‘Our thoughts are bees: Writers Working with Schools’ she has access to a wide range of accessible and enjoyable activities and resources designed to support poetry in the classroom. She will leave staff with copies of resources used with their pupils.
Mandy is happy to discuss possible visits with you prior to booking.
Examples of past schools’ projects include:
- one-off author’s visit to a high school: “Mandy was, by far, the best artist we have had visit us. She was creative, enthusiastic and keen to give praise – all of which had a very positive effect on the pupils. The work they produced was of an excellent standard.” Teacher, Haydock High School
- facilitating a poetry-residential for teachers with the North Huyton Learning Collaborative: “Everyone has gone back to schools bursting with new ideas on making poetry more accessible to our pupils… an amazing couple of days.” Ben Owens NHLC.
- longer-term residency in a primary school combining INSET and workshops, and resulting in a school anthology: “The children and staff gained so much from you. It was an experience that has enriched our lives and one I know the children will long remember.” Head, Kingsway Primary.
- visit to an arts venue with primary school pupils responding to an exhibition at the Barbican: “I hope you had the best time ever, because I did!” Yr4 pupil, Bonner Primary School.
Workshops
COMMUNITY AND ARTS PROJECTS
Mandy regularly facilitates poetry workshops for adults and young people in universities, community and arts venues. Past projects have included work with writer’s groups, mental health projects, Aim Higher, Learning Collaboratives and local authorities. Venues include galleries, museums and National Trust sites.
Mandy is currently designing outdoor activities for primary schools in the National Trust’s Prior Park, for the Write Team, Bath Festivals. She is also delivering public poetry workshops at London’s National Gallery.
Training and Consultancy
TEACHING EDUCATION COLLEGES, seminars and workshops
Within teaching education colleges such as MMU Didsbury and Bath Spa, Mandy delivers seminars and workshops for new teachers on poetry and creativity in the classroom. The sessions are a mixture of:
- practical activities (for all KS and immediately transferable to the classroom)
- exploring online poetry resources and free downloadable poetry-related material
- enhancing awareness of the accessibility and creative potential of poetry across the curriculum
UNIVERSITIES, CPD, workshops and training
Mandy also works on a freelance basis designing CPD and courses for teachers, writers and MA students wishing to develop their own writing and/or skills in facilitating creative writing in education.
Working with MUSE (based at Manchester Metropolitan University) she helps deliver accredited CPD for MA students and teachers who wish to use creative writing in the classroom.
Mandy is a selector for the Children's Poetry Bookshelf, and also delivers sessions for writers and MA students on writing poetry for children. These sessions include:
- an overview of the current world of poetry publishing for children
- looking at contemporary as well as classic children’s poems
- writing activities exploring voice and approaches to writing for children
- the work of writers-in-schools
- practical ways to seek publication
