Testimonials

childrens' comments >>

Comments by teachers who have worked with Martin Harvey

"My honest opinion of the 2 days was that they were excellent, both in content and presentation and in usefulness.

I found it all very useful, but if I have to pick out just 3 things they would be:

1. the use of visual stimuli to encourage imagination and vocabulary, both oral and written,

2. the way Martin modelled the various teaching strategies, both specifically, such as the guided reading and generally throughout all your presentations.

3. the C,S,M,W/C,L/D way of analysing texts.

Once again many thanks.  Those 2 days have certainly made me feel better equipped with a great many positive resources and strategies to draw on."

Sally Spicer – Student on Returning To Teaching course.

"Martin Harvey has supported the Reading and Writing Festivals in Sandwell LEA, providing stimulating workshops for Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils. All schools' evaluations have been extremely positive."

"Excellent preparation and clear objective setting for the children contributed to a quality experience. Mr Harvey shared his expertise and enthusiasm  with all age groups achieving high standards throughout.'

Helen Clayton, Headteacher, Grassington Primary School, North Yorks.

"Handwriting and presentation were issues that needed addressing. This project worked because all teachers took part every day , status was raised by headteacher monitoring and giving of prizes for improvement. The difference is remarkable and it means that every child can achieve something to be proud of therefore raising self esteem and confidence and ultimately a knowledge that they can succeed

"Martin worked at Abbey Junior School for a whole day with parents, children and staff. The subject was writing and being inspired. Without doubt our children were inspired... 

At the end of the day he had 97 children, 5 teachers and several parents learning how to improve their handwriting. The bell went for hometime and they would all have stayed where they were, they were so entranced. Their feedback was so enthusiastic and positive. Since then I have recommended him to many colleagues and am also having him back to work in our cluster of local schools in the Autumn."

Karon Brown

Headteacher         Abbey Junior School, Sandwell LEA, West Midlands

"Martin Harvey worked with year 5 pupils at Lyng Primary School.
He demonstrated how to use a picture as a stimulus for vocabulary work, focussing upon nouns and adjectives. The pupils responded well, producing some excellent suggestions for sounds, feelings and emotions.
His text work with the pupils developed the theme of character comparison through discussion of texts from George's Marvellous Medicine and Danny, Champion of the World.
Martin used open ended questioning to encourage inference and deduction. The pupils provided alternative words, identified the different feelings and thoroughly enjoyed the role play.
The responses of the pupils were excellent.
Martin also led two group guided reading sessions of different ability children.
He used texts that he had written specifically for the purpose of developing a description of a character. The tasks were appropriate and challenging.
Martin harnessed the enthusiasm of the pupils and achieved very good responses.
Martin spent time discussing different ideas and strategies that could be used within the literacy hour and in group guided reading and writing sessions. He provided texts written by him that could be used for particular targets in literacy. He gave several examples of writing produced by infant and junior children that was of the highest quality.
I would recommend a visit by Martin Harvey as a means of demonstrating good practice and innovative ideas for literacy work within a school."

What do the children say?

1. "I have benefited from Writers' Workshop because I feel I have become more imaginative and have thought more deeply."

Amy, Y6, Hexthorpe Primary, Doncaster

2. "Since I started 'Writers' Workshop', I have become better and better. I think Mr.Harvey is a brilliant English teacher."

Emily, Y3, Hexthorpe Primary, Doncaster

3. "I did really well on all the writing we did, thanks to Mr.Harvey."