School Visits
I’ve been visiting schools as a poet since about 2003, though ever more so since the publication of my first kids poetry collection, I Eat Squirrels, in 2009 and my first kids novel, Fizzlebert Stump the Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus (and Joined the Library), in 2012, and have been in hundreds of schools and spoken to thousands of children and staff in that time.
I normally come visit your primary school for a whole day, starting with an assembly for everyone and then offering three or four hour-ish sessions with either classes or year groups. These are usually lively, interactive and inspirational poetry workshops (lots of ideas and tips to take back to class, and we’ll make a poem up together in the session), but I’m also very happy to talk about my novels with classes that have been reading them and answer what questions I can.
A day visit like this costs £499, plus travel (by train from Tilehurst (near Reading), plus connections) and accommodation (if needed). The price includes four signed books for the school*.
However, during the pandemic I started offering virtual visits…
Virtual Offer One
I will make a unique 10 minute personalised video for your school, suitable for an assembly or for a classroom. In it I’ll introduce myself, say hello to the school, pass along any messages you want, sing happy birthday to whoever you like, and perform two or three poems, just like I would in an assembly when I visit you for real. I’ll send by e-mail, some suggestions for ‘follow ups’ to the poems, a set of ‘prompts’ and tips that can help get kids writing their own work, and send by post two signed books (of your choice*) either for the school library, the classroom or to be used as prizes. All this for £75.
Virtual Offer Two
I will make a 45-60 minute virtual visit to your classroom, via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or a similar service of your choice, in which I will introduce myself, read some poems, talk about my books and answer questions (especially useful if you’ve been reading any of my books in class, for example). During the chat/Q&A/performance I may make some suggestions and share some tips on how to start your own bit of writing, but I will not run a formal workshop (I will send by e-mail my set of prompts and tips, as above). If there are any particular books of mine you wish me to talk about, please ask. (It is most fruitful to have your questions prepared before the session, so that you can sprinkle them throughout, rather than wait until the end and ask, ‘Does anyone want to ask our poet something?’) In addition to the live session, I’ll send you four signed books (of your choice*) either for the library or classroom or to be used as prizes. This costs £150.
Poems-on-a-Postcard Subscription
Elsewhere on this website (follow the link!) you’ll find me offer of sending 13 weekly small-handwritten-poems-on-postcards to whoever asks me to. A subscription costs £35, which, if you’re interested in folding into the school visit (either with postcards in advance or after (or both)), I’m happy to add it onto the school visit invoice after the visit. Just ask.
* Offer is for any of my paperback titles. Hardbacks available at £5 extra each (Midnight Feasts and The Book Of Not Entirely Useful Advice are only available in hardback, and The Worlds We Leave Behind is available in paperback or hardback).
“A.F. Harrold recently visited our school to inspire a love of poetry and prose across our school community. He gave poetry workshops to children of all ages, hosted assemblies for both pupils and parents, judged our art and writing competition and spent time talking individually with children about their writing. His enthusiasm, warmth and ability to connect with children of all ages made a real impact. A.F. was also incredibly easy to work with — professional, flexible, approachable and happy to adapt to the needs of our school. His visit was inspiring and memorable, and we would have no hesitation in recommending him to other schools!” - British Embassy School, Ankara
“A.F. Harrold was a delight to host and the children loved his exuberant delivery and command of language, which he creatively demonstrated in his poetry workshops and whole school assembly. Book a visit, your pupils will LOVE it!” - Ronald Ross Primary School, Wandsworth
“Ashley was everything we had hoped for in a visiting author. Our children loved his amazing stories and his retelling of his poem about a two-storey bungalow! He was funny, interactive and inspiring. I highly recommend Ashley if you are looking for someone to inspire your pupils!” - The Blue School, Isleworth
“Our author visit on World Book Day 2026 from Ashley was a huge success, he was incredibly engaging with all of our pupils across the school in his assembly. His way of delivering his poetry is funny and captures their imagination, they particularly enjoyed then being able to rewatch Ashley read these on his videos from the website. Not only did the assembly provide a snippet of what he can do to all ages, he also took more time exploring his work with our older pupils in Key Stage 2. In preparation for our Summer term poetry units, this really supported children to understand the enjoyment of writing poems and how diverse they can be.” - Battle Primary School, Reading
