Gillian McClure is an author/illustrator with a Primary Teaching Diploma. She has over twenty year’s experience of doing illustration and writing workshops in schools. Besides doing one-off visits, which are ideal for World Book Day or a school Art Week or Book Week, Gillian has had experience in doing longer school and community residencies which tie in with the National Curriculum.
One of these resulted in a published book created by year 2 pupils.

Read more about The Wishing Eel ISBN 978-0-9560205-0-5

Residencies

These consist of a half day planning with the school plus five full days usually over half a term. Here are examples of some of her residency themes for Key Stages 1&2:

• Children in the Second World War
• The Caribbean
• Green Fingers

  "Abbotsweld and Potter Street did their presentations today and they were fabulous. They spoke very highly of you and all the work that you put in. I just wanted to thank you for all that you have done for the schools and for being such a fantastic author in residence". Jonathan Bond

One -Off Visits

These can be a full day or a half day and tie in with the school’s Book Week theme. Here is what she does:

Nursery & Reception: Gillian shows original artwork, roughs and sketches to very young children and tells a story that they can act out and develop using puppets.

Primary Year 1-6: with this age range Gillian gives illustration/story workshops using character and place as the starting point for a story. These workshops are constructive and fun and there is a useful handout on structuring a story for teachers who want to develop the pupils’ stories started in the workshops.

Secondary & Students: for older pupils and students Gillian does mentoring and gives power point talks on the picture book.

"Gillian worked with all year groups in the school from Reception to Year 6. Her activities were varied, imaginative and at the right level for every class." Ingrid Broomfield, Librarian

"In the session with Year 6, the workshop was pitched at just the right level, leading to plenty of discussion and the creation of many interesting ideas. Being the oldest in the school, this session wasn’t until the end of the day but the children were very interested and stayed focused throughout." Angela Robinson, Year 6 teacher

If you are a school in the South East, London or within a sixty mile radius of Cambridge book Gillian by email on: gillianmcclure@ntlworld.com or phone her on 01223 575406.

You can find out more about her on this link: http://www.authorhotline.com/mcclure