I’m an experienced teacher and workshop leader, and over the years I’ve led hundreds of writing projects in infant, primary and secondary schools.

My work with children and teenagers is lively, engaging, and celebrates individuality, creativity and compassion. One teacher recently described me as “a tornado of positive energy”, which made me smile.

I’ve worked extensively with challenging students (Channel 4’s Mr Drew’s School for Boys) and top-set groups aiming for the highest grades, and I love the variety of working with school groups across the full spectrum of abilities. My years of rap battling and writing for adult audiences give me plenty of material to engage older students, while my picture books provide lively and accessible ways in with younger ones. Having previously worked as a pastoral Head, my sessions draw on both my teaching background and my artistic experiences.

I love shaping visits that connect with students at every stage of their learning journey. Quite often a school will have me working with very different groups throughout the day — from a buzzing whole-school assembly to a smaller, focused workshop — I enjoy making each session count.

Each visit is tailored to the needs of your school and usually involves a combination of writing workshops (with class-sized groups) and performances (for larger audiences). No two schools or bookings are the same — I’ll listen to your needs and work with you to create a visit that best supports and engages your students.

If you’d like to arrange a visit, just get in touch — I’d be delighted to help.

Testimonials

‘Mark was brilliant, the children were inspired to write – children we never expected. I will be recommending Mark at the English Co-Ordinator meeting, he was such an inspiration.’

Mrs Arling, Literacy Co-Ordinator at Werrington Primary School

‘ The class teachers joined each session but other members of staff, who were free, went along too – simply because they were so keen to hear Mark.  They were not disappointed!’

Mandy Barfoot, Head of English at the Stanground Academy

'Thank you so much for coming in! The students (and all of the English department) absolutely loved it- they haven't stopped talking about it since. We would love for you to come back some time please!'

Bethany Sealey, Head of English at Brine Leas School in Nantwich

‘So often with poetry there is a huge void between ‘having to’ and ‘wanting to’ study it, but Mark bridges that gap effortlessly. The day was a huge success and the girls left the session having had their perceptions about poetry changed.’ 

Daniel Elsworth, Head of English, Elsmore Girls' School

‘I can’t praise Mark’s workshop with our KS4 pupils enough. From his enthusiastic introduction to his energetic performance to the way in which he engaged and enthralled, Mark held our bunch of usually disaffected youngsters-all boys- for the whole session. The pupils listened attentively to his poetry and, for once, readily put pen to paper under his guidance. We would jump at the chance to have him back in the future.’

Sophie Ullmore, Head of Literacy at South Lewisham Pru