'Imagine a world where snails can sing.'

'We want children to grow into their shell and then look for a bigger one.'

This can only happen in a society that nurtures the emotional, physical and intellectual health and well being of young people. Therefore our aim at Shoo Fly must be to raise awareness of issues that may prohibit growth and where possible, take action.

Our first and foremost role is to create educational resources that demonstrate respect; respect for each other and the world we share.

Our resources are developed in the classroom working alongside teachers and children. We take part, try out our ideas, listen and respond directly to their needs. In this way try to place their voice at the heart of what we do.

We aim to

• put young people at the heart of our resources
• inspire
• offer rigour without a straightjacket
• engage and excite
• develop the creativity of teachers and children
• demonstrate that all learning helps us to grow
• celebrate language
• laugh a lot (and sometimes cry)
• take a stance and rattle a few people
• improve the old 'carbon footprint'

Green Fly - We are a little company with BIG thoughts...

We take our own environmental and global responsibilities seriously and look for opportunities to raise awareness of fair trade principles, organic farming, sustainable building and local, regional, national and global issues. Our resources include support for teachers and young people to understand their important role in the global community.

We recycle too... even the building we work in! Shoo Fly HQ is an old electricity substation. Its award winning conversion was featured on Grand Designs in 2002 and we were pleased to have won self-builder of the year in 2002, demonstrating the Shoo Fly ethos of creativity, hard work, determination and creative problem solving works even on a shoo string!

Children's work - before the renovation and their plans for the sub-station.

One day we hope to build a fully sustainable building to house the company.

We believe in education for all...

Education is one way out of poverty. Since the inception of the company we have supported the community of Udaipur in India. As well as supporting the school by sending unwanted books (and Richard to help build the school library), we pay the salary of Sheena, a Community Health Worker, enabling children and parents who would not normally have access to basic health care to receive what we believe to be a basic human right.

Supporting teachers and children in Udaipur, India.

Shoo Fly pays Sheena, a community heath worker and supports the women's sewing co-operative.

Since 2004 we have supported a women's sewing co-operative. We have plans to work with the community to develop a sustainable enterprise based on fair trade principles. This enterprise will support the emotional development of children in both India and the UK... a bit of a secret at the moment BUT watch this space!

Try a slice of Shoo Fly Pie... and enjoy!

When we get ideas we want to share them... so rather than keep them locked in our dark, deep cupboard, we decided to set them free onto another web site, www.shooflypie.co.uk. We have created this site as a free resource for teachers with games, music, recipes, photographs and lots of activities. We hope you will take the time to visit, download what you need and enjoy sharing our ideas with your children. Why not share your ideas with each other too?