Pupils at a Westcliff school have enjoyed a day of storytelling and creative writing after welcoming a published author into the classroom.
Ellie Irving visited Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery to run a series of assemblies and workshops designed to encourage youngsters to enjoy reading and develop their own stories.
The author, whose books include Oh Armadillo!, For the Record and The Matilda Effect, read extracts from her work and discussed her journey to becoming a published writer.
She also spent time with the school’s Reading Ambassadors and spoke to pupils about the world of books and writing.
Dedicated workshops were held for children in Years 5 and 6, with pupils encouraged to explore their imaginations, develop story ideas and build confidence in their writing.
A spokesman for the school said: “The visit was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to meet a published author, learn more about the world of writing and feel inspired to pick up a book or put pen to paper themselves.”
There was an added connection between the author and pupils who attended the school last year.
An extract from Ms Irving’s novel The Matilda Effect appeared in last year’s Key Stage 2 SATs reading paper, meaning former Year 6 pupils had already encountered her work through their assessments.
The visit concluded with a book signing, giving children a chance to meet the author individually and have copies of her work signed.
The school said the day provided pupils with a memorable opportunity to learn directly from a published author while celebrating reading, storytelling and creativity.
Staff hope the activities will encourage children to continue developing their reading and writing skills beyond the workshops.
A school spokesman added: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to Ellie Irving for giving up her time and providing such an engaging and inspiring experience for the whole school community.”
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