This show has been loosely based on the new AQA paper 1 spec, but it has been successfully performed in schools studying WJEC and OCR (Edexcel currently test these skills through CA). This show is a great way to relieve the pressure of the crucial English GCSE and raise attainment at the same time.

Coming Soon!

“My bottom set yr 9s and TA gave me a rendition of the ellipsis song today... And got some in the right place in their writing! Have requested full stop song for next lesson :)”
Carly Shapland, Head of English, Maplesden Noakes School, Kent (via Facebook)


My year 11s greeted me entering the room today with a rendition of the ellipsis song too... it's something about that opening, Barrie!! then managed some kick ass semicolon-ing, all so that i'd put back on the paragraph rap so they could sing along. Right now, I adore you!!
Rachel Hunt, English Teacher, TACHS, Uttoxeter. (via Facebook)


@PODCASTREVISION superb shows today Barrie, the kids got so much out of the shows we will definitely be re-booking in the future thank you!
Victoria Forester, English Teacher, Hurworth School, Darlington (via Twitter)

"Very enthusiastic and engaging!  All pupils responded to his style and presentation with great enthusiasm.  Great ideas for staff to follow up afterwards.  Would book any future presentations without hesitation". 
Amy Willmot, Headteacher, Consett Junior School.

Hello Barrie,
 
 First of all thanks for today!  I am currently sat in my year 10 class and am typing whilst  they complete their sample task. The students are very enthusiastic about using  some semicolons and  are raving about the show.  One girl  has said she couldn't stop laughing and lots of them are saying  they  have  the songs running through their minds. The show has certainly got them thinking and talking about punctuation: fantastic! 
 
 Many thanks  for coming  along to school and for making punctuation fun,  
 
Alison     
Mrs Alison Moore
 
Communications Faculty Leader  
Park View School
Chester -le -Street

The punctuation show was fun, interactive and informative. There were jokes, songs and questions and this made the hour long show fly by. Some students loved it so much they saw it twice!  We look forward to other similar shows.
Helen Redhead, Literacy Co-ordinator, South Shields Community School

"The punctuation shows have really helped students to gain a greater understanding of some of the more formal elements of the English curriculum in a fun and engaging way.  Barrie's confident and energetic presentation, coupled with his stong belief in audience participation, provide an interesting alternative to more traditional approaches to learning."
Nick Grieveson, King James Academy

As promised, here are some quotes from the students for you:
 
"I really liked the Punctuation Show because we were told how to use punctuation correctly and when you need to use it. Also there were a lot of activities for people to join in to and lastly it was very cheerful with songs and dances." (Jack, Year 8)
 
"I thought that the Punctuation Show was great! The way he explained about the key things in punctuation was fun but also educational. In my opinion all the songs were good and helped me to remember them." (Phoebe, Year 8)
 
Catherine
 
Dr Catherine Walton
Director of Learning: English
Tanfield School

Just thought you would like to know our GCSE results are the best ever! 44% A-C including English and Maths!  English year 11, 52%,  year 10 53%! and Lit 83%. I am sure the roadshow helped.
with  thanks
Chris

Christine Rutter
Head of English
Risedale School
North Yorks

Just to let you know that we cracked 63% A*-C for English this year for GCSE.  Don’t know if you wish to use that in your publicity but clearly it has had an input.  You may also wish to know that the Year 10s have already bagged 50% A*-C which is very pleasing indeed.

Garry Stout
Deputy Head Teacher
Dene Community School of Technology

Barrie - the children and staff all loved it. The staff said the children were totally engrossed and enthralled and loved every minute of it! Songs were fab and the time just flew!

Mrs Jane Davis
Head Teacher
Lanchester E.P. Primary School
Tel: 01207 520436

"...the kids really enjoyed the show and got a lot from it."
Karen Dalgliesh, Director of Performing Arts, Bourneville School

'I thought the Punctuation Show was fabulous. It kept the children engaged and the songs really brought about a different and enjoyable way to teach punctuation. Been given the resources to use in class was very useful.'
 
Quotes from children:
' The songs were cool.'
'It was very entertaining.'

Lisa Rowell
Literacy Coordinator
Benfieldside School






Hi Barrie
 
Thanks again for a really fun and informative day. The pupils had a brilliant time and on Friday when I got them together and asked which activity they enjoyed the most many said your road show. They had a fun and informative day. Hope to see you soon
 
Regards
Paula Lowerson-Marshall
Seaham School of Technology
Family Leader

Dear Barrie,
Thanks for the show last week. We had a very positive reaction from the children who thoroughly enjoyed it.
The following are comments from the staff: Highly entertaining. Gets children interested. Gets children talking afterwards. Children all very enthusiastic - introduced new concepts to younger children whilst reinforcing basics for everyone.

Pat Stonehouse
Bishop Ian Ramsey School
Medomsley

“...we increased our results by 15%.  Thanks for your help"
S Francom, Assistant Principal, St Aidan's Academy

The Road Show presented students with a whole new way of learning essential skills. Students were entertained and educated – not an easy combination for blasé Y11s!
Sue Sandham
Head of English Faculty
Durham Gilesgate Sports College & Sixth Form Centre

“Like the BBC, The Punctuation Roadshow entertained, informed and educated. Our KS3 pupils loved it and still remember the catchy songs and therefore the purpose of different features of punctuation.”

T Beckett
Head of English
Spennymoor School

" Barrie brought punctuation to life for the pupils here at The Grove. They remember to this day his up beat presentation . The music was trendy and all were involved- all 70 of them."

Liz Hume
The Grove School
 
"The Basildon Academy was delighted to welcome Barrie and his ‘Punctuation Roadshow’ on Wednesday and Thursday. Barrie entertained Years 7, 8 and 9 with his educational and hilarious songs about punctuation. He also put on a special show for our neighbouring primary schools, Northlands and Greenstead, who very much enjoyed themselves. Thank you Barrie!"
Basildon Academies Website
When asked what they thought of the show my Year 6 replied quite simply:' Awesome!' This seems to be the general consensus amongst staff and pupils.

Wendy Dixon, SENCO/Head of English
Glendale Community Middle School


The shows today were terrific.  Even some of our toughest kids participated thanks to your engaging, fun performance.  Every member of staff who was there, including the Principal and Vice Principal, commented on how fantastic the shows were.  I look forward to seeing not only to the basics of full stops, but far fewer apostrophes littering students’ work in all the wrong places!
 
Many thanks for all the energy and passion you put into those performances.

Vivienne Roberts Acting AVP / Curriculum Leader – Communications All Saints Academy Dunstable

Barrie’s delivery of the Punctuation Roadshow was fantastic. He engaged and motivated all pupils across the school from the minute his presentation began. He made this topic a really memorable event. I would highly recommend The Punctuation Roadshow to any school looking to develop punctuation skills and understanding within its school or simply to engage pupils further in literacy.

Mark Watson
Acting Headteacher
Leadgate Community Junior School

Hi we got our results today 57.4%! that's a 20% rise from the summer

Lee-Anne Butler, English Teacher
Washington School (via Facebook)

"Thank you very much, Barrie. The students really enjoyed Monday – I knew you would convince them that punctuation can be fun!"
S Sandham 
Subject Leader- Gilesgate Community Sports College

Thanks again for today. It really was a resounding success...There was a real buzz around the school afterwards, with much of the talk being centred around the performance (and especially the 'dances')... Particularly nice was the fact that there was a buzz amongst the staff who had attended the performance too.

David Oaten
Head of English
Mount Grace High School
Hinkley

Thanks to you Barrie. The shows were universally well received by the two different year groups, even the hard nuts in Year 11 were cracked by you in superb style.
 
It was also fantastically simple to arrange with you both in the booking stage and practical preparations on the day. 
 
Many thanks,
 
Kate Thornton
 

Miss. K.Thornton
English Leader
PRIORY Sports and Technology College

Hi Barrie, I know Kate has responded already, but I just wanted to add a big thankyou.  The pupils enjoyed the experience (some of my year 9 were dancing the bracket song during my lesson today!) although some thought you were "a bit mad" - All good then!

Mrs J Elliott
English Teacher
Priory Sports and Technology College

We all enjoyed your show tremendously and my bottom set were able, yesterday, to tell me how to use brackets so they obviously leant something!
 
Thanks again and hope to see you soon,
 
Zoe Pike
Bishops Chester

'A fun presentation with plenty of songs and interaction to keep the children engaged.'

'Good use of humour to reinforce punctuation messages.'

Miss J. Peacock
Burnopfield Primary School


The feedback from both staff and pupils was very positive indeed and no more than I expected having seen the show myself.  I asked some of the pupils what they had learnt and every pupil I spoke to could describe some new learning!

P Burnside
Head
St. Pats RCVA Primary
Langley Moor

“Fantastic - the pupils are still singing the songs now and trying to decide which one is their favourite.”

L Wright
Head
Thomas More RCVA Primary

“They say that punctuation can’t be fun - well you’ve proved them wrong!”
Mr Griffin
Anfield Plain Juniors

“A fantatstic show - really ‘boy friendly!’”
S Redman
Head of English
Skinners’ Academy

"Inspirational! Up-lifting and fun!"
M.Wilkinson
Principal
Leigh Academy

If you're looking for something a little different to wake up your c/d border students before the exam - podcast revision is just what I would recommend. A well paced, informative session with a range of fantastic songs - our girls are still singing them :)

Angy Harrison-Phillips
Holly Lodge Girls' College
Liverpool

We had a fantastic morning. Barrie’s high energy performance had even the most self conscious children joining in with many others making a real breakthrough in their understanding of punctuation.

Peter Armstrong
Head
Whickham Parochial School

“...the combination of teaching, songs and dance was genius and I really enjoyed it. A number of staff came to ask me what was happening in the hall and they all said that it sounded super as well. I also had a lot of kids from other years asking why they didn't get to come too!”

Charlotte Ducan
Academy 360
Sunderland

“...everytime I've seen a Y9 student this afternoon they've shouted, "Look Miss..."and started doing the dances. It's definitely had an impact, so thank you!”

Jenny Barlow
Co-op Academy at Brownhills.
Stoke-on-Trent

'The Punctuation Show really made punctuation fun.  The songs were ridiculously catchy and the sketches were brilliant.  Barrie's energy and personality made sure that all children thoroughly enjoyed the show and saw punctuation in a new light.'
 
Eve McMann
Literacy Co-Ordinator
St Godric's Primary School

I am so disappointed that I missed your shows!
 
The students (and staff) loved it. I heard nothing but excellent reports on my return to work so thank you very much indeed.
 
K McKenzie
Assistant Head
Castleview Academy


Great feedback as usual from our students Barrie.
(About the Grammar Show, via Facebook)

K McNamee
Head of English
Academy at Shotton


Thank you @PODCASTREVISION for inspiring our year7/8 with a fantastic literacy/ punctuation roadshow today.
Rachel Ireland
Head
Haughton Academy

When asked if he liked the show, one of the pupils replied that he didn’t like it, he loved it! It seems to be the general consensus with all the pupils here.
Chris Graham
Barbara Priestman Academy (SEN)

“...and already we have seen the impact on the learning of our current students.”
(via the Northern Echo)
F Campbell
Darlington Education Village

Barrie delivered a fantastic show for our Key Stage 2 pupils plus parents. He explained the difficult aspects of Grammar in an amusing way and the pupils still remember the songs he made up to help them understand. His music is fantastic, he made subordinate clauses come alive and the children are still singing the little songs.
The show links well to the draft revised Framework for Grammar. The parents had a ball as well and were very impressed.

Liz Hume
The Grove Primary

The Grammar Show was a resounding success. Pupils (and staff) were dancing all the way through it and still managed to learn!

Christine Wolfendale
Assistant Principal
The Academy at Shotton

The show was fantastic! The pupils learned lots from it and they’re still singing the songs.
Darren McBain
AST
Southmoor Academy


They said the children enjoyed the songs and dancing and they thought it made a what could potentially be a dry subject much more interesting! Unfortunately they didn't take any photos- sorry! Thanks for the website password and entertaining all of our KS2 children (and staff!) last week.

Claire Baker
Literacy Coordinator
Blackhall Primary

They loved it! It was lovely to see the children in the dining hall just coming up to you and talking about last year's show too! They were full of it at the end of the afternoon and I could hear them singing and shouting from the office.

Jane Davies
Head
Lanchester Primary

“It was great, really upbeat - so refreshing!”
Jill Shaw
(Acting Head)
New York Primary School


Our students left your shows enthused and singing... about reading, writing and punctuation! What’s even better is that a week down the line, they still remember everything you taught them. The GCSE Revision Show and Punctuation Show were so successful that you have been the talk of the school and the other year groups have complained that they didn’t get to take part! Your shows are education, entertaining and informative; I will be spreading the word and we will be booking you again. Thank you very much for a fun day.

Maggie Elliott
St Anne’s Academy
Manchester

“...thank you for enthusing the children about punctuation. The children really enjoyed your show and have been spotted singing about various punctuation marks!”

Mary Rose Douglas
Literacy Coordinator
All Saints CP School
Lanchester

“Thanks Barrie,
 
 The staff and pupils really loved the show.”

Mrs J Cruise
Head
St Pius Primary School
Consett

Hi Barrie
 
I'd like to thank you again for coming into our school. The pupils loved it!

Miss N Pemberton
Ormiston Stanley Matthews Academy
Staffs

You have raised the bar for future guests - and our own assemblies. We appreciate greatly the time and skill that goes into creating such a 'show' and we would love to play a part in the future of 'podcast revision' and repay your efforts in some way.

William Davis
Bushmead Primary School
Luton

Thank you so much for last Tuesday's grammar show. The younger children loved
every minute, and you even won over some of our more stubborn Year 6s, who were
busy humming the complex sentences song all the next day. The best part is that
we can use all your resources again as follow-up, so it's so much more than a
one-off event. Making grammar fun - who would have thought it possible?

Anna Fairhurst
Assistant Head
Greenmeadow Primary
Swindon

UKLiteracy ‏@UKLiteracy
Just watched @PODCASTREVISION entertain 220 odd year 9 students @ShottonHall with his grammar roadshow. Get Barrie booked for your school!
Via Twitter

Thank you. It was an excellent show, thanks.
S Ainsley
AST
Harton Technology College


Be prepared to be engaged with this highly original and creative learning opportunity. Punctuation has finally been personified!

B Wassall
Christchurch CE Primary
Newcastle


You are a real inspiration (overused but in this case fully justified).
Gareth Hobson
Heathfield Academy


“What an enjoyable afternoon! A thoroughly original and interactive way of learning about punctuation which the students totally bought into. Highly recommended!”
Kerry Daniells, Head of English, Roseberry College and Sixth Form

"Funny and engaging, this is a truly interactive show that succeeded in making punctuation accessible to all and enjoyable to learn."

Tom Stephenson
Seaham New Academy

The children are still buzzing from your visit and are already talking about how it has helped them improve their writing. A great afternoon which truly inspired the children and staff. Thank you.

Allison Thompson
Kingston Park Primary


"The children had a great time singing along to the punctuation show. It certainly kept the staff on their toes too!"
 
Thanks again!
 
Helen Fahey
Liiteracy Coordinator
Moss Side Primary School

Many thanks for an excellent afternoon learning about grammar.   All the children, from Year 2 to Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed learning about sentence structure in an entertaining and memorable way.  The children came back to class singing the songs about nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and complex sentences and are able to explain how they can be used and why they are important.

Many thanks once again,

Libby Pickervance
Assistant Headteacher 
Lever House Primary School


Thanks, Barrie. Great show as always.  Be in touch soon.
 
Regards
 
Elaine Walls
St Pat’s Consett



What an amazing day! Feedback is incredible! Kids and staff REALLY loved it.

Thanks you so much.

Katie Pattison
Head of Department
Wolstanton High School
Staffs


We all thoroughly enjoyed your school and it has been the talk of the school ever since!  The ellipsis song is driving me a little mad because they won't stop singing it!!  pastedGraphic  They are all now using them in their work though which is excellent.  I think both shows were just the perfect way to make what can be a dull subject such fun!  The children have enjoyed accessing the resources at home!
 
All staff commented on how fantastic the show was and staff room was buzzing.
 
The grammar and punctuation shows were fantastic!  They introduced the children to otherwise difficult topics in a fun, interactive and educational way!  Barrie left the whole school buzzing with enthusiasm and singing the catchy songs (teachers and pupils alike.)  The resources provided after the show have really inspired the children and they have been using extra types of punctuation confidently in their writing.  I couldn't recommend this show more!  Ages 5 to 65 everyone in our school had a thoroughly enjoyable, educational and memorable experience!  Barrie made learning fun for all!

Emma Smith
St Osyth Primary School
Essex

Thanks so much for coming into Northwold.  Pupils and staff really enjoyed your show and the children tell me that they learned loads through the songs and videos.
Alison Kriel
Headteacher
Northwold Primary School

...thanks so much for visiting our school. The children and staff really enjoyed it!
Laurie-Ann Spencer
Hummersea Primary

The students all seem to have really enjoyed the show; a boy came up to me just today and said he understood what a verb is now!

Mrs E Donaldson
MacMillan Academy

Cheadle Heath Pri ‏@CHPSchool
8 Apr
Amazing how Barrie managed to engage everyone from Y2 - Y6 with his interactive Punctuation Show. Fabulous! (via Twitter)