Feedback
Dear Martin,
I would just like to say a huge thank you for your school visit last week. The children had such an amazing time and wished that it would never end. Your show captivated the children and teachers and fitted in perfectly with our rainforest topic. It was your first visit to the school but certainly not the last, we are having a year 5 group meeting tonight and will be contacting you again shortly to book in for next year. I have even had parents come in to say "I have had children at this school for the last nine years, they tell me nothing about what goes on at school but I have heard EVERYTHING about the day that the bug man came to visit."
Thank you!
Laura
Elvetham Primary School - Hants
Dear Martin,
Thankyou for yet another totally brilliant day. All the children who saw your Reptiles and Amphibians were thrilled. So much enjoyment and enthusiasm, so inspiring. A must see spectacular that I recommend to whoever wants an utterly entertaining and educational day. I look forward to your next visit eagerly as do all the children!
Tim Hall, Head of Science - Breckland Middle School - Suffolk.
Hello Martin,
I just wanted to say thank you once again for your fantastic Big Bug Experience.
It was a superb start to our bugs week and enthused both children and staff.
The follow up work was fantastic!
Dawn Heffer - Bournes Green Junior School - Thorpe Bay - Essex
Dear Martin,
A big thank you for your visit today. As always you enthused the children with your fantastic subject knowledge, I think they would have carried on through lunchtime if we'd let them! This is your fourth visit to White Court and you have become a firm favourite amongst staff and pupils thanks to your lovely manner with the children. Your visit is always the highlight of our project on minibeasts and the combination of hunting for bugs, identifying them and seeing the Big Bugs too is a winning formula. Thanks again and see you next year!
Gemma Gray - White Court School - Braintree - Essex
Thank you from Moorlands School and the MSA (Moorlands School Association) for your Big Bug Experience day at Moorlands last week. You and your bugs were brilliant. The children, staff and I loved the day – great fun, very educational and, admittedly, jolly creepy at times too!
Thanks again for a fantastic day – the kids were buzzing and it was a great way to start half term.
Nicola Musgrave
Chair
MSA
Moorlands School - Leeds
Thank you for a really brilliant day. The children have been really inspired and the staff were very impressed. Two staff said that they felt so confident with your approach that they would have stroked the tarantula had there been a little more time. A very big Thank you.
Carol Brown - Kings Pre Preparatory school Rochester
Dear Martin,
A huge thank you for your impressive start to our science week. The children absolutely loved your show and are enthusiastic about learning more. You were spot on with your differentiation throughout the ages and we all enjoyed meeting your bugs and reptiles.
Many thanks
Jo and all the staff at The Russell School - Richmond - Surrey
Just to say an enormous THANK YOU for an entire day of 100%, non-stop, awe and wonder!
Oh boy, do I have to live up to your standards tomorrow! I can't even begin...
We were ALL mesmerised by your extremely well behaved and patient arthropods, although I have been asked to send particular love and strokes to Lucy the tarantula- a lady through and through!
You have made the year for many, many people. I cannot thank you enough.
I am waiting to pounce upon your available dates!
With best wishes
Alison Dormer – Head of Science – The Royal Ballet School – Richmond Park
Many thanks Martin for a fantastic show of the Animal Kingdom for our Science Week. The pupils were thrilled with all the animals and loved the hands on experience, especially the Scorpion and Snakes (As did I)
A brilliant day that we plan to repeat every year!
Caroline Sutton - Science Teacher -Framingham Earl High School - Norfolk.
Dear Martin
Thank you on behalf of my class for the wonderful big bug experience. I had an activity planned to follow yours and was unable to start it due to all the questions my awe-struck children had.
Your knowledge of all things creepy crawly is clearly extensive and your enthusiasm infected all of the children even the wary ones.
You have a wonderful way with the children and coped fantastically with the barrage of questions and comments and screaming at Dave the amazing performing cockroach!
Thank you for making our day.
From Miss Sumner and 2S
Dear Martin
Thank you so much for bringing the big bug experience to our science week. All the children loved it and many said it was the highlight of their week.
You gave us wonderful memories as well as fascinating information.
We look forward to seeing you again.
Eleanor Denton
Wrotham Road Primary – Gravesend – Kent
Martin has run The Big Bug Experience many times at the Science Museum, children and teachers find the show fascinating.
The hands-on session gives them a rare opportunity to get really close to really big bugs.
Martin is fantastic with children. We've been running the days with KS2 and
KS3, including a number with Special Needs, and with Home Educators
Sam Spicer - Education Officer - Science Museum - London
Thank you, Thank you,Thank you for your visit and for bringing so many of your little friends!
The pupils at Haseltine were captivated by the array of bugs you presented to them. They have truly gained so much from your show and the experience I'm sure will stay with them forever- stroking a Scorpion, handling a millipede, touching a tarantula!!!!
The pupils are still buzzing with enthusiam for bugs and many have visited your website. Thank you also for taking the time to talk to my own little bug expert Madison- she loves all of natures little creatures and was delighted to hold a baby praying mantis and leaf insect.
Thank you again on behalf of all the staff and pupils at Haseltine.
See you again!
Vikki Baldock - Haseltine Primary - Sydenham - London
A huge thank you for the 2 fantastic days you did at Bonneygrove
All the children and staff were really impressed, educated and entertained - no mean feat for children aged 3-11 and parents accordingly!
Lisa Kraushaar - Bonneygrove Primary - Cheshunt - Herts.
Great hands-on experience! Martin is really kind and great with the children. It gave the children a fabulous opportunity to experience animals they'd never seen before.
Sarah Atley - Holy Trinity and St Silas School - Camden - London
Dear Martin
Many thanks for your input last week with the Big Bug Experience. The day was a resounding success, as evidenced by a wealth of positive comments from pupils of all ages and members of staff, including teachers, teaching assistants and headteacher. We all learned something from the day, and had fun at the same time.
Thanks again
John Platts - Science leader - Highview School - Folkestone - Kent
The teachers and children all enjoyed the show greatly. The children talked with great enthusiasm about the animals and remembered a lot of information. It was a wonderful experience for them and provided a powerful stimulus for our Animal Science Week. A lot of learning took place both in science and in literacy, numeracy, art/DT and ICT.
Piyasi Morris – Science Co-ordinator – Larkrise Primary – Oxford.
See more detailed feedback from Larkrise on feedback 2 page.
Just to thank you for the exciting, informative and hands on Big Bug experience. The children were talking about it for days afterwards. It was very interesting to see what the children knew and the types of questions that they were keen to have answered. The children loved the fact that they were given the opportunity to see and touch the bugs and each session was led informally but professionally. A great day!
Kate Bendall - Science co-ordinator - Our Lady and St John's Primary - Brentford
Thank you for an amazing, cool, brilliant, wonderful, outstanding experience.
St John the Baptist Junior - Penistone - South Yorkshire
The Big Bug Experience was very succesful, the children absolutely loved it and Martin was brilliant.
He stayed and talked to every child and every parent that wanted to after school.
Karen Springett - Deputy Head and Science Co-ordinator - Kings Ford Junior
Colchester - Essex
The school had a wonderful visit from Martin Rapley (The Bug Man), who brought a lot of little friends with him! All the classes were both educated and entertained by his wonderful knowledge of these minibeasts, and many of the children got to touch various creatures.
Great Clacton Junior School - Essex
When ‘bugman’ Martin Rapley visited , it was the first time that many pupils had gained hands-on experience with a creepy crawly. The entire school was given guidance by the specialist keeper on the make-up and habitat of a selection of stick insects centipedes, millipedes, scorpions and tarantulas, as he revealed the creepy crawlies to an enthralled audience of youngsters and teachers!
The two day visit which took place on 25 and 26 April, will be incorporated into the pupils science curriculum project on life and learning.
Rosetta Headteacher, Geoff Hadlow, said: “The children and teachers were spellbound by the Martin’s visit. He was really good at relating to the children and the different age groups we have, and quite a few of the children were able to handle and stroke the insects.”
Rosetta School -Custom House - London
Thank you so much for such a great day!!!!
All the children are still talking about it - and the parents!!
A big hit with all involved!!!!
Sally Toll - Wadhurst Primary School - Sussex
We had Martin in to our school for three days with different programmes,
minibeasts, big bugs and animal kingdom. The children loved it and so did
the teachers, we are still finishing off work linked to the programmes. The
children were in awe at some of the animals, and a lot of the teachers
conquered their fears!
The activities were interesting and varied, the stories Martin told about
the animals unforgetable and the talks and interactions with the animals
unsurpassed. As was the background information supplied.
We are a large inclusive school of 460 children and all of the children saw
at least two shows each, they haven't stopped talking about them.
All activities were key stage specific and Martin was very accomodating with
regards the numbers involved, he even did after school shows each night to
various parents.
I have to say Martin worked extremely hard and non stop, he loved sharing
his obvious love for his animals with the children.
The best feed back I could give are comments straight from the children
One child with severe behaviour problems stated that she used to think
science was boring now she loves it. Another looked up at me with large eyes
and stated that he had never seen an Iguana before.
Priceless!
Thank you Martin for a fantastic experience
From all at Heybridge Primary School - Essex
Thank you so much for coming to our school and sharing your bugs with us.
We loved it!
Katy Gordon - Science Co-ordinator - North Hinksey Primary School - Oxford
A big thank you from 7A for the fantastic Big Bug Experience!
Sarah Kitchener - Tutor - The Heathcote School - Stevenage - Herts
A visit by the Bug Man!!!On 20th June, Furtherwick Park was visited by Martin Rapley,also known as “The Bug Man”. Martin visits schools with his ‘Experience Science Live’ demonstration and our Year 7 students had the opportunity to get close to a variety of animals, most of which you don’t get to see everyday.The animals Martin showed included a baby tarantula, stick insects and an iguana! They were able to show how much theyhad learnt about specific animal types and other interesting facts, including that a snake smells with its tongue! The students responded well to the animals showing a keen interest and a few lucky students had the chance to hold some.
Furtherwick Park School - Canvey Island
Dear Martin
Just a message to say thank you very much for attending our Science Extravaganza last week.
You were a star fitting in all our children and they really appreciated it.
We have had some very positive feedback form both parents and children, so all the hard work was worth it!
The children were amazed with the variety of species that you brought in and have learnt many interesting things. I was impressed with the knowledge that some of the children already held and your informative presentations enhanced this. You pitched your talks at a perfect level including all the children in your discussions.
Once again, many thanks and we hope to be in touch in the future.
Carole Goodwin - Colchester High School - Essex
Day one - The Animal Kingdom Live!
Loved the animal kingdom as did the children. Good examples of different classifications, enough wow and yuk factor to keep everybody interested. Good balance of information - not too much, not too little. Year 6
The children loved the assembly and the show. We had lots of questions after. It was brilliant that they could touch some of the animals - something that many of them are unlikely to get the chance to do again. Their enthusiasm was shown through the number of parents commenting on the day at the open evening.
Thank you - Year 2
They couldn't stop talking about it! Parents at our open evening remarked on their enthusiasm.
Year 4
Day two - Indoor Seashore
The children really loved this session. They enjoyed seeing the live crabs and holding them. They also liked finding out about the animals that live in the sea. The group work and identification of the objects from the beach was enthralling and they enjoyed researching using the books.
I'm sure that when we go to the beach they will be exploring in greater detail and using the knowledge they have acquired.
It was an absolutely super 'hands on' session.
Thanks - year 3
From The Staff at Parsons Heath Primary - Colchester - Essex
Martin is working with KEGS to provide exciting science experiences for our own pupils and pupils from our partner schools.
We have known Martin for many years and always appreciate his infectious enthusiasm.
After the successful Big Bug Day held here at Kegs with our year 7, The Cathedral School, The Hayward School and Kings Road School, we took the show to Woodlands School and Moulsham Junior School - another great success.
King Edward VI Grammar School and Science College - Chelmsford - Essex
During March 'The Bug Man' came to school for Science Week. He brought in a selection of animals including insects to show all the children and staff from Nursery to Y6.
The Bug Man's real name is Martin Rapley, and he visits schools teaching children about his incredible creatures.
He showed us how insects camouflage themselves so predators can’t find and eat them.
Then he showed us some poisonous animals!
The Emperor Scorpion has big claws and a sting in the end of its tail.
The Giant Centipede moves very quickly and uses its poison to kill its prey.
The Prickly Stick Insect looks like dead leaves. It keeps very still so birds can’t see it.
Martin also showed us two different types of snake, a tarantula called Lucy and an Iguana called Arnie.
We had a fantastic time looking at all the unusual insects and other animals Martin brought to show us. We asked him lots of questions, and learnt a lot.
We hope ‘The Bug Man’ can come again next year!
Angela Maber – Science Co-ordinator Selwyn Primary School - London
Your Bug Day was a very informative day, enjoyed by all, and the children have produced a high standard of work as a result - we are all becoming bug experts!
Staff were impressed at the way you differentiated your approach so that the day appealed to everyone one from nursery children to adults. Everyone had their favourite bug and the children haven't stopped talking about the experience.
Thank you once again for a very successful day.
Mrs Janette Quinn - Deputy Head - Lawford Mead Infant and Nursery School - Chelmsford - Essex
Dear Martin,
I am writing to say a massive thank you for bringing your fascinating animals from 'The Animal Kingdom' for us to see. I learnt a great deal and will not forget it.
I was interested in all of the animals but by far my favourite was your Iguana, I loved your hilarious story about him and the cats.
Your guinea-pigs were very cute and I am pleased you brought them.
I have always loved snakes and since I saw yours I have decided I am definately having snakes when I am older!
You have shown me many animals I have never seen before and I will never forget any of them!
The boys and girls loved touching your animals. I am sure we all enjoyed our brilliant day. Thank you again
Courtnie
Kings Road Primary - Chelmsford - Essex
Dear Martin,
Thanks for two great days. The work you did with years 3, 4, and 5 in our school grounds has provided us with a huge amount of scope for further development and interest. The children were absorbed all day.
Your Big Bug Experience was fantastic! The children buzzed all day!! As a result of your passion, the children remain enthusistic and have felt inspired to produce some creative science.
Thanks again.
Kay
Kay Wills
Tendring Primary School - Essex
An African praying mantis, a giant vinegaroon and a red knee tarantula were among the bugs which were brought to Holmwood House by Martin Rapley - The Bug Man.
The school, from reception to year 8, reacted enthusiastically to the interactive experience.
They relished the opportunity to observe and handle the creatures.
Holmwood House Prep School - Colchester - Essex
Thank you for coming in with your big bugs, it was absolutely brilliant. I really enjoyed it as I had never seen a stick insect or giant millipede before. It was very exciting when I held a stick insect!
My favourite part was when you let Mrs Routledge hold Lucy the tarantula, it scared the life out of her and I couldn't stop laughing.
A very big thank you for coming to our school.
Jackson and Marcel.
Downham CE Primary - Billericay - Essex
Thank you so much for working in our school during science week. The staff and children really enjoyed it.
We will definately book you again.
Sarah Cail - Hadleigh Infants and Nursery School - Benfleet - Essex
Big Bugs
Martin the bug man brings bugs, insects and other animals to your school. Colchester essex ipswich london. Big large colourful exotic bugs praying mantis beetle roach©
Dan Ambrose & Martin Rapley 2005