I’m from Lancashire originally and now live in Forest Hill, south east London. I write poetry for children, poetry and short stories for adults, and radio drama. www.chrissiegittins.co.uk

I’m a trained and experienced teacher and have worked as a poet in schools, libraries and prisons for over ten years. I am happy to work with all key stages and all ability ranges. I am part of the Poetry Society’s poetryclass training team for teachers and I was Poet-in-Residence with ‘gifted and talented’ pupils in twelve Southwark primary schools 2002/3, with Croydon Libraries 2003/4 and in 2005 I toured ten isolated primary and secondary schools on the western seaboard of the Highlands.

I would recommend four sessions per day in primary schools, and working around the timetable in secondary. A class size is ideal. With children from Year 4 upwards I like to work in a circle with the children sitting on chairs labeled up with their first names. I start off by reading some of my poems; we then play warm-up games and move imperceptibly into writing poems by working on an idea or looking at a poem written by me or another poet. Every child writes a poem and contributes orally.

Testimonials

Highland Tour
‘The work with the children was very well planned and paced and kept all the stages of children enthusiastic and involved’, Catriona McCowan, Head Teacher Applecross Primary School.

Poetry-next-the-Sea Festival
We are so pleased with the school sessions. Besides being a skilled poet you have a lovely manner with children. Linda Crossley-Holland

Visit to Glenfall Primary School, Cheltenham
‘The children have been talking to me with affection about the afternoon Chrissie spent with us. They are quite discerning in their evaluation of the quality of their experiences. I have yet to hear a negative comment from them - they thoroughly enjoyed the way Chrissie brought her poetry, which appealed greatly, to life. Teachers were also quick to praise the quality of her poetry and presentation and have worked with their classes to produce a wealth of poems in the ‘Chrissie Gittins’ style.’ Anthony Sutcliffe, Headteacher

Awards for my two children’s poetry collections

2003 CLPE Poetry Award 2003, Now You See Me, Now You … , shortlist
2006 Poetry Book Society Choice for the Children’s Poetry Bookshelf, I Don’t Want an Avocado for an Uncle
2007 CLPE Poetry Award 2007, I Don’t Want an Avocado for an Uncle, shortlist

Both these books are in print and available from bookshops, amazon or myself.