Festival of Literature

Students across Year 7 to Sixth Form have recently enjoyed receiving their English lessons from of-the-moment authors, poets and storytellers, an opportunity afforded through the School’s all access pass to a digitally devised Festival of Literature. The fortnight long event aimed to inspire reading as well as joy for the written and spoken word through an exciting programme of acclaimed speakers, that offered something for all key stages.

In its first week, Fryer explored the world of poetry with Joseph Coelho and his YA book, The Girl Who Became A Tree. Tom in Year 7 enthused of the session with Joeseph Coelho, “I liked the talk because it was helpful and gave me so many interesting and amazing ideas. [Poems] make me feel like I’m actually in the pages, I could be in the Congo, Alaska or even the Sahara Desert!”

Years 7 to 11 were also captivated by professional storyteller, Emily Hanna-Grazebrook, as she shared spine-tingling tales of folklore, all told from memory, a testament to the tradition of oral storytelling. Chloe in Year 9 commented on the entertaining recital, “I learnt that storytelling can be an idea that is expanded on the spot and does not always have to stay the planned way. I also learnt that literature is modernised over time which takes away the traditional value as well as sometimes improving the story. The way of talking can often get across a meaning that cannot always be gained from reading words off a page.”

In the following week, Year 8 got stuck into The Truth of Things with Anthony McGowan, whilst our senior students were inspired by travel writer, Anna McNuff and her stories, told with high energy and exuberance.

In the evenings, Sixth Formers, parents and staff were treated to a selection of events including a performance from slam poetry champion, Harry Baker,  author, Lemn Sissay on the topics of childhood, Britishness and race, and author, Claire Fuller in conversation with journalist and broadcaster, Bill Burrows. Crime fans were particularly eager to hear Chris Whitaker talk about his blistering story of revenge and retribution, Tall Oaks, and Chas Newkey-Burden revealed all on his internationally best-selling biographies of Adele, Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.