Single Visits
There are two types of visits: A type and B type.
The duration of the A type visit is 120 - 150 minutes and the cost to the school is €76.00, half the writer fee.
The B type visit consists of a writer or storyteller spending 300 minutes in a school and the cost to the school is €152.00. The B visit can, if schools wish, take place over a maximum period of two weeks, divided into no more than five dates, and with a local writer. Arrangements for B type visits must be discussed with the WIS Office prior to application.
Visits can be divided into separate group sessions. An A type visit, for example, could consist of three 45 minute sessions with different class groups/ age levels.
For budgetary reasons we may not be able to accede to all requests for visits. A limit has been set therefore of two A type visit or, one B type visit per academic year.
Applying for a Visit
The school selects a writer or storyteller they would like to invite from the WIS Web-Directory of Writers, contacts them to see if they are available and then arranges a date. Once a date has been agreed between the school and the writer, the school completes the application form (which can be downloaded from this site) and sends it by post/email or fax to the Writers in Schools office.
All applications for visits must be received by the WIS Office at
least three weeks in advance of the proposed date / starting date
of the visit.
If an application has been approved for funding, the school will receive a
confirmation letter and evaluation form in the post. Should we be unable to
meet a request due to funding limitations, we will phone the school.
Rules of application
- In line with the Writers in Schools Guidelines for Artists Working with Children and Young People, a teacher must be present at all times during the visit. Should an instance arise where a pupil spontaneously refers to an experience of abuse, the teacher can act immediately and appropriately, according to school policy.
- If a date / dates are to be changed, each party must notify the other, and both should inform the Writers in Schools Office. Failure to notify us of a change can mean that a visit to another school by another writer may be lost. Insurance will also only cover those concerned on the official date.
- Visits take place during school hours in the school term on school premises. The only exception to this condition is if two or more schools would like to combine to share a writer visit and neither school has a suitable room. In this situation a suitable local venue (e.g. the public library) may be used. The proposed use of any venue outside of the school must be discussed in advance with the Writers in Schools Office.
- Visits cannot be funded retrospectively.
- Visits to adult groups cannot be funded under this Scheme.
Financial Arrangements
No visit will be funded unless it has been applied for and approved. The school and writer will receive written confirmation and evaluation forms as notification of approval of funding. Visits cannot be funded retrospectively.
The cheque for the school portion of the writer’s fee should be sent to the WIS Office, with the school evaluation form, within one week of the date / finishing date of the visit. Cheques should be made payable to the Writers in Schools Scheme.
The writer will then be paid their full fee and travel expenses
by Writers in Schools.
Should the school wish the writer to stay longer than the sanctioned visit
duration, it is up to the school to cover the extra costs.
Fees
| Type of session | A (120-150 mins.) | B (300 mins.) |
| Cost to school | €76.00 | €152.00 |
| Cost to WIS | €76.00 | €152.00 |
| Fee to writer | €152.00 | €304.00 |
If your school finds it difficult to pay the school portion of the writer's fee, we suggest you contact your County Arts Officer to see if they have funding available. A full list of County Arts Officers is available from the Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
Travel Expenses
| Distance Travelled (Return) | Expenses payable by Writers in Schools |
| 0-20 miles 21-40 miles 41-60 miles 61-80 miles 81-100 miles 101-120 miles 121-140 miles 141-160 miles 161-180 miles 181-200 miles 201-250 miles 251-300 miles 300 miles + |
€12.70 €22.70 €34.10 €47.00 €52.70 €59.70 €65.40 €71.10 €79.60 €85.30 €93.80 €103.80 €127.00 |