Niel totally inspired our children with his amazing teaching techniques. One of our children really struggles to ever share her ideas normally, but with Niel’s enthusiasm and creative starters, she produced a funny, innovative piece of writing and read it aloud to the class. I was astounded!
Sarah Bryan, Senior Leader, Broad Oak Community Primary School, St Helens
I have worked with Niel with targeted children from our programmes – children who are typically not engaged with reading and hard to motivate. They were clearly inspired by him and excited by his approach to writing and history.
What particularly struck me was his ability to listen to the children, ensuring that every child had a voice which brought out even the most reticent. I’m very happy to recommend Niel as an author to work with children and schools.
Jim Sells, Manager, Premier League Reading Stars, National Literacy Trust
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Niel last year on two separate school projects. His creativity, enthusiasm and approach to creative writing allowed the young people to develop their own artistic flair and ideas! We thank him for all the hard work and commitment he has given us and very much look forward to working with him again in the future.
Ree Collins, Projects Officer at Tees Valley Arts
Warwickshire Schools Library Service shortlisted Niel Bushnell’s first novel – Sorrowline – for our 2014 secondary book award. We were thrilled when Niel agreed to attend the celebration ceremony, and he willingly took to the stage, telling three hundred 11 and 12 year-olds about his upbringing and writing life.
He was a natural at this and thoroughly engaged the audience. He read from his second book and the pupils all eagerly bought copies afterwards. He also worked well with another author at the ceremony whom he had never met before and fielded questions of all kinds from the audience. We’d really recommend him for author visits to schools and libraries!
Stella Thebridge, Principal Librarian: schools and reading at Warwickshire County Council
Niel has definitely inspired some successors to his literary throne and we have even had the questions ‘when is the next book out?’ and ‘is Niel coming back?’ It was a special afternoon and allowed our students access to an opportunity, which they normally would not have access to. Definitely another building block in Manor College’s literacy and reading community – thanks Niel!
Miss Ashleigh Clark (AST in Literacy), Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool
Just to say on behalf of Unity City Academy how much we enjoyed this afternoon with Niel Bushnell, the students have come away with some brilliant ideas.
Janet Dowey, Learning Resource Centre Manager, Unity City Academy, Middlesbrough
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