Preparing for a Residency

Before: Planning
Schools should discuss the following with the writer in advance of the visit:

• Expectations, aims, objectives and outcomes of the residency, including how best to engage and involve the students.
• What class groups will be participating.
• Is the material being offered by the artist age appropriate?
• Number and size of groups. 
• For creative writing type sessions, groups should be kept to a maximum of 30. 
• Dates, times, and length of each visit.
• Any practical classroom requirements (photocopying, projector, laptop, idea seating arrangements etc).
• Directions and the best way to the school.

Specific group information such as male/female ratio, literacy levels, physical disabilities, special needs, gifted students, behavioural issues, etc. should be provided. The writer should also be made aware of any special circumstances e.g. if a child has had a recent bereavement.

Before: Preparing the students

• Prepare students for the residency in advance by introducing them to the writer’s work, by viewing and discussing the writer’s social media presence, etc.
• Promote the residency around your school. 

On the Day

• Meet the writer on their arrival and introduce them to the relevant staff.
• Provide writer with refreshments at break times.
• A teacher must be present with the writer at all times in the classroom.
• Teachers should act as a participating faciliator and refrain from undertaking other work while the writer is present.
• Students should have the opportunity to give oral feedback at the end of each session. 

After

• We ask all teachers to complete an evaluation following a residency. All comments, suggestions help us to run as satisfactory a programme as we can for all involved.
• Feedback from the young participants is hugely useful to us in whatever way possible.
• We are always happy to receive copies of photographs, videos, publicity around a visit, or testimonials from young participants.