The first half of the session contained some really helpful revision and study techniques for the students and a lot was gained within the space of time provided. These techniques were delivered in a fun, memorable and engaging manner.

The course was highly attuned to the needs of the children and demonstrated the learning capacity, skills and attitudes to learning clearly and in a highly engaging way. Tools were shared which pupils could access regardless of ability, language, skills or age.

These are the comments of one Year 5 teacher who was in the CA2L session – Links were constantly made to areas of the brain and how ‘we’ use our brains in and out of class. Also emphasis was made towards the children making an active choice(s) to be pro-active with their learning eg not to sit with friends in class, taking their coat off before entering the classroom, wearing the school uniform, leaving break times for chatting and working at home without lots of distractions from technical devices.

The usefulness of a course is its application and useability – the morning session staff had, by the afternoon incorporated the ‘map’ in their session and pupils take their coats off ‘ready to learn’ before entering their class. Therefore a highly successful day was had.

Hi Shenaz, I have some feedback from the last session for you: The Creative Approaches to Learning session was an enjoyable and educational experience for our year 7 pupils. The event was delivered over two sessions with approximately one hundred pupils in each. Shenaz was energetic and engaging throughout as the pupils got to grips with memory techniques and organisational skills. The staff were very complimentary about the content and pace of the delivery with many looking forward to seeing the benefits of these sessions carried through to the classroom. The behaviour of over 200 pupils was excellent, which shows the level of commitment from Shenaz to engage and earn the respect of the pupils. Cheers, Ryan

"I was amazed to see children putting their new found strategies into place straight away. They have a visibly positive reaction when they grasped something new" Year 5/6 teacher "The children left the workshop absolutely buzzing with positivity! They are now armed with strategies and "catchphrases" to take them through moments of academic doubt and uncertainty. Coming as it did a few weeks before SATs, it couldn't have been better timed or more welcome!" Janet Webster Deputy Head/SENCo/Year 5/6 teacher.

We had an incredibly productive day when 'Positively Mad' spent presented to our Year 7. Shenaz was engaging and professional with the youngsters whilst instilling some key memory techniques and mind-mapping skills. The aim was to settle the new pupils into our way of establishing independent learners whilst showing that education is accessible to all. Shenaz was superb at keeping the pace and content relevant to our school. The parents' session was particularly well attended and it gave us the chance to share the experience the children had with their parents. We pride ourselves on strong parental support and were delighted with the way Shenaz presented to them: they were involved in some activities and fully on board with the key messages of home learning and independence. Thanks to 'Positively Mad' and, in particular, to Shenaz for an excellent day. See you again soon.

Mark was great and the students responed positively to him. The staff thought he was brilliant.

All of the staff and children I spoke to enjoyed the day and had a lot of fun. It was evident form the sessions I was involved in the children learnt lots of new facts they couldn’t recall prior to the strategies used in the sessions. I think the staff and children actually shocked themselves in how many facts they could recall! Some of the comments shared by staff and children ‘A very energetic and enthusiastaic teacher’ ‘Had lots of fun’ ‘I loved it’ ‘I remembered a lot of new things’ ‘I wish she was my teacher’

Really good course thank you, relevant to all classroom support staff and teachers present. I have already seen some of my teachers using some of the ideas in their classrooms. This was a really good course for our first day back. Very enthusiastically presented which was vital after New Year celebrations!

Dear Kim, Below is a letter written by one of our year 7 students: On behalf of Montsaye Academy, we would like to thank you for showing us new ways of how to learn and making us laugh. The best part of the year 7 workshop was where we had to learn the names of the European countries. The year 8's told me that they loved their workshop too! We look forward to using the new techniques you taught us when learning and revising for our tests. Thank you very much, Kuba Plotek (year 7) Kind regards, Claire Keel

The children and staff thoroughly enjoyed both the Creative Approaches to Learning and the Mindwise workshops. We were particularly pleased with how popular Natalie’s twilight session for parents was. Staff have already started practising using some of the learning techniques to support their classes. Great! Natalie was so full of positivity and energy right the way through every single session that the children, staff and parents couldn’t help but learn. Thank you very much.

Shenaz is superb and she is the reason we came back to Positively MAD this year. She is a delight and full of energy and enthusiasm. A superb morning thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and there were many positive comments. Natalie was positive, engaging and held the students attention very well.