Recent Writing Workshops:
Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing at University of Birmingham University 2015
Erdington Hall Primary School Macbeth project 2015
Friendship Fables story writing with Year 8 Pupils across Birmingham Secondary Schools 2014
Family poetry weekend workshops Barber Institute of Fine Arts 2013.
Adult writing workshops at 9 arts venues as part of Art In The Heart project 2013.
Writing and drama workshops with primary schools around my plays 3 Witches and The Night Queen 2011-2013
Word Games poetry & performance project around the 2012 Olympics with 5 Birmingham secondary schools.
Word Lab and Phil's Fast Food GCSE writng projects with secondary schools 2010-13
Stories On The Move Warwickshire Mobile Libraries Project 2011
Toy Theatre Writing Workshops with primary schools for Birmingham Rep 2006-2011.
Chain Reaction poetry booklet for the Oaks Collegiate Birmingham working with 5 Secondary schools over several weeks to produce individual anthologies and a joint anthology on the theme of 'Chain Reaction'.
Write On Scheme working in over 20 schools in the West Midlands 2003 to present (5 half-day workshops to produce mini-plays or poetry presentations).
Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing Birmingham University 2012 & 2013.
Visiting Lecturer Teacher As Writer module Birmingham City University 2009 & 2010
Theatre Writing:
Three Witches for Hoopla Productions, Belgrade Theatre and touring Autumn 2013
Adaptation of A Christmas Carol for Bristol Old Vic theatre School 2012-13
The Night Queen for Hoopla Productions in association with the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 2011, remounted and toured 2013
Innocence, play for Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Pandora's Box play for the Midlands Arts Centre April 2006, Edinburgh Fringe & Italy 2006.
Creation, play for Junior TV Workshop Summer 2006
Stone Soup children's play for the Midlands Arts Centre Spring 2005.
Arts Council Bursary 2004-5 at the Midlands Arts Centre developing approaches to drama for young people.
Shangers, a play for students for VSO in China, Spring 2003.
Christmas Shows at the Worcester Swan Theatre 1996 ? 2003:
Pinocchio, A Christmas Carol, Robin Hood, Beauty & The Beast, Treasure Island, Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan.
Saturday morning children?s plays at the Worcester Swan Theatre include:
Dr Sensible & the Magic Box, The Dancing Bear, Hansel & Gretel & the Witch, William & the Pirates.
My play The Mystery of Father Brown was produced autumn 2000.
Other Media Writing:
Script Development for Dickens Project Junction Media 2011
Script for Under-Insured ICE Productions 2011
Script for Journey To A Brighter Future DVD Birmingham City Council 2009.
Princess Teana script commission 2003/4. Storybook outline and short dramas for video and web publication (Shangers Ltd./TeaConnexions).
St Oxford's (segments for children's TV broadcasting) for Oxford 6 & Eccentric TV.
The Tell-Tale Heart (joint adaptation with BBC Producer Jenny Stephens) short drama for radio producer training course (BBC Radio Drama)
More Than A Good Night Out (Firefly Productions)
My Breakfast With Monika (Moth Films of Canada)
Publications:
Old Story, New Story (editor)
Nursery Verse
Wake Up (Salford Pocketbooks)
An Alice Puzzle Book
Contributions to Broadside poetry anthologies
Other Activities:
Poet In Residence for the Art In The Heart project at 9 West Midlands arts venues summer 2013.
Poet In Residence Barber Institute of Fine Arts 2011.
Writer In Residence New Art Gallery Walsall 2009.
Winner of the Poetry Goes Public poetry Competition 2002 in association with the Birmingham Book Festival.
Judge for the Worcester Evening News short story competition.
TV Work:
My work on children's television programmes has been as an assistant director.
Recent projects:
Think About It, Television Junction (Birmingham), short dramas to support citizenship & thinking skills in junior school (Key Stage 2), September & October 2003
Barnaby Bear, BBC Education & CBeebies, documentaries & dramas aimed at pre-school children, May ? July 2003
BBC Education drama A Fish Out Of Water dealing with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) completed autumn 2002
Other children?s TV programmes as assistant director include:
Brum, Out Of Sight, Harry's Mad, Matt's Millions, Woof!
European Union children?s dramas:
Frankie Stein's Robot, Kevin, The Plastic God
Daytime Emmy Award for work on Woof!
Philip Monks worked with me and 15 Year 8 pupils at Hodge Hill Girls' School as a Writer in Residence from 3 November to 5 December 2003.
Philip planned the five workshops very well using a variety of oral and written techniques to motivate and encourage the pupils. He drew on his own expertise as a poet and scriptwriter to good effect, enabling the pupils to feel confident about their work. He had high expectations of the pupils, devising challenging tasks, yet maintaining an environment, which was friendly and supportive. He showed a good sense of humour which he used effectively, establishing an excellent relationship with the pupils.
The year 8 pupils were some of the most able in the year group and they produced some excellent work. Philip used the drafting process to 'polish' work and encouraged the pupils to celebrate their work in an assembly for their peers. This was particularly successful and the pupils felt a sense of satisfaction with their achievements. Progress was evident throughout the five sessions with all pupils. Work was produced for display and for inclusion on the school website.
I have no hesitation in recommending Philip Monks to work in a school as a Writer in Residence.
Literacy Co-ordinator, Hodge Hill Girls School
I am a year 5 class teacher at Gunter Primary and have worked with Philip Monks over a six week period undertaking the 'Write On Project'. The writing project was a partnership between authors, Birmingham schools and Birmingham Local Education Authority. Philip worked with my year 5 class to write and perform an adaptation of Dickens 'A Christmas Carol'.
At all times Philip worked with enthusiasm and displayed positive attitudes towards writing. He was an exemplary model writer for the children to emulate. Philip utilised his experience and skills as an author to give all the children an insight and pathway, to access writing in a meaningful context. Through the variety of writing activities he provided the children's attitudes were positively enhanced and their writing skills were developed. As a direct result of this the children gained confidence in their approaches to writing, which was evident in their enjoyment and the quality of their work.
Philip planned and undertook all the workshops, which culminated in the children successfully performing their play script for an audience. Philip used a range of activities to develop the children's performance skills and confidence. Whilst offering practical support in stage setting and costume.
Philip displayed a friendly professional attitude, he was reliable and punctual. I have no hesitation in recommending Philip.
Teacher, Gunter Primary School