This author is also participating in our Primary to Secondary School transition project.  See more videos and project materials from this author here…

Miles has worked as a teacher, writer, freelance journalist and storyteller. He has told stories and led writing workshops in numerous schools and libraries. Of his work in schools Miles says ‘I want to inspire children to enjoy the written and spoken word, and to help them to produce work they feel proud of.’

Miles has worked for Creative Partnerships in Hull since January 2005 and worked on the ‘Boys Into Books’ programme, visiting numerous primary schools to lead writing work and tell stories.

The stories Miles tells include ‘George and the Dragon’, ‘The Boy who cried wolf’, ‘Rumplestiltskin’ and more ! He provides props so the children can join in - often with amusing consequences !

His journalism work has appeared in The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent and many more. He has won several prizes for his writing, including the 2008 Slipstream Poets Competition. His poetry has appeared in Dreamcatcher and Aesthetica magazines, and he has contributed to several anthologies of writing, including WHSmith Young Writers Collection and ‘The Exhibitionists’, a collection by York writers. He writes and presents ‘Next Week’s News’ for BBC Radio York. He was writer in residence for ‘Pass It On’ project in Hull between December 2005 and June 2007.

Workshops
Up to 35 children at one time, any age group or key stage. Can be in a classroom. I need a whiteboard and pen (the old fashioned type). Also a CD and tape player if possible. I bring everything else. I have worked with all key stages.

Feedback

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/ 

It’s stranger than fiction!  SWORDS AND DRAGONS … Hedworthfield Primary pupils with author Miles Cain.

Published on Monday 7 March 2011 10:32

 YOUNG bookworms proved to be made of the write stuff during a literary week at a South Tyneside school.Author Miles Cain led workshops at Hedworthfield Primary School, Linkway, Jarrow, as part of events marking World Book Day.Using role play and creative writing, about 160 children at the school immersed themselves in prose and poetry.Outside the classroom, pupils also learned how newspapers are produced, during a visit to the Gazette’s sister paper, the Sunderland Echo.Katie Donnelly, Year 6 class teacher and literacy subject leader at the school, said: “Working with Miles was fantastic. The workshops were designed to inspire the children and to encourage them to believe in their own abilities. “Through role play, the children were able to retell traditional stories, which they enjoyed greatly. The creative writing activities brought the children’s imaginations to life, and allowed some of the more reluctant learners to participate more freely. “They even wanted to continue their stories the following day! “The workshops were a very positive and enjoyable experience for both children and staff. We look forward to working with Miles again.” Over the course of a day, children from across the school took part in workshops with the York-based writer, to promote reading, writing and oral storytelling. Mrs Donnelly added: “The opportunity was invaluable, as it demonstrated to the children that reading and writing has a purpose. During the workshops, Miles took the opportunity to re-tell traditional stories, which included some role play from the children, a writing activity which encouraged children to use their senses and some songs.“Throughout the sessions Miles discussed the importance of reading, even just a little every day, and how working hard pays off.”During the rest of the week, the school enjoyed a visit from Celia Bryce, a Jarrow-born writer, who discussed the writing process, encouraging and promoting writing across the school.

Hedworthfield Primary also staged a non-uniform day to help raise money for Comic Relief, with the children dressing as their favourite book characters, and staff joining in.

Link: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/it_s_stranger_than_fiction_1_3153331

“I’d just like to say a huge thank you for the fantastic workshop that you took with Year3/4 children at Francis Askew Primary School ! As soon as you walked into the classroom, the energy levels rose and you immediately connected with the children. The activities that you organised were fun, exciting and so productive. The rapport that you had with the children was super, and I am particularly grateful for engaging the boys in the reading process.”
- Paula Claughton, Teacher, Frances Askew Primary School- January 2009

“The children were so inspired they didn’t want to put their pens down.”
- St Aelred’s Primary School, York, October 2005

“The children really enjoyed Miles’ workshops in Neasden Primary.”
- Hannah Jackson, Neasden Primary, Hull, October 2008

“The whole session was excellent. Miles pitched it at the perfect level. He gave the children the freedom to experiment with words, and used partner and class work.
- Lesley Crutchley, Head Teacher, Austwick C. E. Primary, North Yorkshire, July 2008

“The build-up activities for both Key Stage 1 and 2 were well thought out and the children responded well. The children were helped to understand the value of poetry and stories as a means of creative expression. It was also very exciting ! The approach was very accessible to children with special needs. The storytelling at the end was fantastic ! A fantastic day – many thanks.”
- Sue Harper, Clapham C E Primary School, North Yorkshire, July 2008

“The workshops were a very positive and enjoyable experience for our students. The feed back from the teaching staff was that they were very pleased with the creative writing workshops and the way you encouraged our students to both participate in the storytelling and the amount you got them to write down. The classes that you worked with that day, have some pupils with challenging behaviour, and apathy towards work. It was great to see how you fired their imaginations so that they actually wanted to write. The work that they did has increased their confidence in their ability to put pen to paper and is now being used as a basis for future lessons. I will definitely suggest to teaching staff that we have Miles to work with our students again in the future.”
- Jean Oliver, Librarian, Winifred Holtby Secondary School, Hull , May 2008

“The children were given superb opportunities throughout the project to express themselves, without having a specific ‘agenda’ given to them. The children usually have a short amount of time to produce work based on things they have read. This project enabled them to base their work on their own imaginative ideas inspired by the puppets and toys that we looked at.
Children who are generally reluctant writers became much more inspired and responded well to Miles who built up excellent relationships with the children. All the children were keen to share their work and confidence levels rose dramatically. From a personal point of view, I will certainly take away many of the techniques that Miles taught the children and incorporate these into my own literacy teaching. The oracy element was one of the most effective tools, and I’m already planning ways to build this into our weekly writing tasks.”
– Cath Hall, Gillshill Primary, Hull, January 2006

Awards
National Winner, Young Writers Competition, 1984.
National winner - Slipstream Poets Competition, 2008.
Commended - Ware Poets 2005.

Books
WHSmith Young Writers Collection, ‘The Exhibitionists’

Teachers’ Resources: Explore the world of your author through our exciting one page class handouts. Click on  The World of Miles Cain