Comments From Advisers And Schools
"a teacher's dozen" Assembly Books
"We use the books as a starter assembly on a Monday and then the theme is carried through the week by the other assemblies that are done. I think that they are an invaluable Christian resource linked to the SEAL material in a way that is easily understood by the children across KS1 and KS2... they are brilliant."
- Lyn Jennings, Deputy Head, St Helens JI, Hemsworth.
"I have been using the a teacher's dozen materials in school with a great reception from the children."
- Sarah Hopkins, Y5/6 teacher, Drakes CE Primary, Devon.
"As a new head teacher I have been using "a teacher's dozen" assembly books and they are fantastic. They really help to maintain the Christian foundation of our School, fulfilling the SEAL requirements at the same time. The assemblies are enjoyable and accessible; children even come up and thank me at the end. I have been telling other schools and education officers all about these resources."
- Paul Bowlas, Holy Trinity Junior School, Ripon.
"We have found a teacher's dozen a very valuable assembly/collective worship resource. As a Church school we need to ensure that our collective worship in Christian based. OFSTED approved 3 years ago!"
- Beryl Archer, Hollywell CE Primary School, Barnstaple
"I have used both of the Autumn and Spring Year A books AND LOVE THEM! They are the first resource I've foundwhich links SEAL with collective worship in an age appropriate way for First Schools. Brilliant. *****"
- Kath Morris, Southridge First School
"There are many resources out there at the moment to support SEAL in schools. Many claim to be assembly resources but cannot be classed as Collective Worship.....let alone meet the requirement to be "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character". It is therefore a great relief to find a resource that does this as "A teacher's dozen" complete funsized assemblies resource from twelvebaskets does!
"Each assembly is linked to one of the SEAL themes (as many other resources do) however there are links to biblical stories, re?ections and prayers. This resource also gives the teacher a clear aim, lists resources needed and even includes some pictorial support within the pack. The "Let's think of a time when..." section moves from childrens' real experiences of life in school; anger, working together, being anxious, through to biblical material, an all encompassing reflection and a final prayer."
"This resource contributes to the development of children both spiritually and emotionally. This resource is a must for teachers and schools who take SEAL and collective worship seriously." ***** - Simone Whitehouse, RE Adviser, Birmingham City Council."
"This material goes a long way in helping schools to bring all these special bits of the schools' vision together (RE, Worship & PSHE). At last something to support the toolkit questions in Anglican Schools, but also materials that all primary schools would find useful."
- Jack Cornall, SIAS Inspector.
"a teacher's dozen is an excellent means of supporting Social and Emotional Learning. Simple but effective acts of collective worship extend the range of resources available to schools in developing pupils' con?dence and self-esteem, and has been carefully planned to complement the SEAL programme". ****
- Kathleen Wood, Methodist Church Education Officer.
"We have just received our copy of Spring A and used the first "It's good to be me", the children enjoyed the ideas. A very welcome resource in this Methodist Primary School. ****"
- Barbara Hatch
*****
- Kate Reynolds
An excellent resource. I have used almost all the assemblies in the 'A' series and the children love them. Assemblies are thoughtful, linked well to Bible stories and provide very good support for SEAL themes. Children love both the stories and the way the assemblies encourage participation. I am ordering set 'B'! *****"
- Mark Street
I dip into 12 baskets a bit and really find them valuable. I like the activity intros as i don't believe hymn story prayer format is motivating enough or relevant to primary children.
- Mike Falcus, St Oswald's Shebburn
"We have found your assemblies wonderful and have formed a basis for our Worship cycle. We hold Family Worship every week and we always use the 12 basket ones for this worship. So thank you.
- Anon
Favourite "a teacher's dozen" assemblies
"Seize the Moment" assembly from Summer Year B got "Outstanding" in Section 48 inspection
- Anon
"Brother Andrew ("God's Smuggler" in Spring Year D) - because I got myself into a real dilemma with the children about the rights and wrongs of smuggling. Another one was "Temper! Temper!" (Summer Year B) - Solomon deciding who was the mother of the baby as this really challenged the children. They are all great - and I hope you produce more very soon" - what am I going to do next year!!!!
- Anon
Together Again CD of Seal Songs
A great CD without the perfectly produced vowels of elocution singing. The children in the class and school where I work have enjoyed many of the songs, in particular the harvest song. ****
- K Cummings
"We love the assemblies and we have the CD (Together Again) playing in the foyer quite regularly. The children know most of the songs now."
- Pam Randall, The Ellis CE Primary School, Barnsley.
There are some great songs on this CD - am waiting for the next one! Thank you.
- Anon
Out of Darkness, Christmas Light Musical (CD)
It was a whole school performance so we adapted parts to fit in with all ages (Reception to Y6) and also to include more aspects of the Christmas message. We won't use this one again for a while but would like another script from Twelvebaskets please!!!
- Sarah Chapman, St Catherine's CE Primary, Launceston.
If we did it again I don't think I would change anything.
- Martin Armitage, Gunthorpe School, Nottingham
Would we make any changes? - Probably none.
- Asarena Simon, St John of Jerusalem CE Primary, Hackney
Would we make any changes? - We would add more speaking parts or alter existing to allow all the children who want to speak to do so.
- Charlie Lakin, Meadow CP School, Leicester