Before bringing your group we strongly encourage you to ensure that students are given the opportunity to read the work of the two tutoring writers before coming on the course. This helps introduce a reader to writer relationship that will develop during the course to one of writer to writer, and this really does help students get so much more out of the week.

There will plenty of opportunities for the students to get their books signed by the two tutors and the guest reader.

The atmosphere on an Arvon course is invariably supportive and encouraging and students, tutors and teachers should demonstrate mutual respect for each other’s work.

To encourage this from the outset, you might wish to propose an agreement of confidentiality during the course so that students feel free to express thoughts, ideas and feelings. It is very important of course that students can expect a positive response to their contributions. As in a class situation, children are given as much opportunity and encouragement as possible to read work aloud but may choose not to if they wish. Occasionally the workshops may stimulate writing of a more personal nature, which students (or teachers/support staff of course) may not wish to share.

It is an essential requirement of an Arvon course that two teachers/support staff accompany the group and are both in residence at the Centre throughout the week. It is the teachers/support staff who are in loco parentis not the Centre staff or the writers. The teachers/support staff carry out all supervision of students and are also expected to take a full part in the writing activities as equal members of the group. We have found this to be of benefit to the group as a whole as well as a rewarding creative experience for the teachers themselves.

In agreeing to act in loco parentis we expect the accompanying teachers/support staff:

·To ensure that students respect a time set for bedtime each night to ensure that they benefit fully from the next day’s activities.

·To supervise the ‘cooks’ each evening. The ingredients and recipes are provided but a member of staff must be on hand to supervise the preparation and cooking of the meal.

·To be available to deal with any matters relating to discipline.

·For one member of staff to be able to drive the Arvon car at all times in case of an emergency.

We have also found that drawing up a written contract between students and teachers /support staff acting in loco parentis helps to ensure that ground rules are established and respected.

To maximise on the potential of the course, we strongly advise that students should be discouraged from bringing mobile phones and computer games as these have proved to be an unhelpful distraction on past courses.

Finally, please also remember to bring plenty of paper and pens with you!