“Simon’s work with our staff made a real and lasting impact, particularly in the way he opened up writing as a space for creativity, play, and genuine student voice.

Teachers consistently commented on how energising his sessions were - not just because of the practical strategies he shared, but because he gave them permission to think differently about writing. He helped teachers see that creativity isn’t an add‑on; it’s a doorway into deeper engagement and stronger outcomes.

For students, the flow‑on effect was immediate.

They became more willing to take risks, experiment with ideas, and see themselves as writers with something worth saying. The structures and approaches Simon introduced created a sense of freedom within the writing process that many of our students hadn’t experienced before.”