There were signed copies all round when our students attended a creative workshop at this year’s Wells Festival of Literature and Landscapes.

The Year 8 cohort from Alderman Peel High School took part in a session at Wells Maltings with author Steven Quincey Brown, who is best known for his novel Fishfolk.

Our Co-Head of English, Jo Doyle, accompanied the group, along with colleagues from the English Department.

“Steven read some sections from his book, and further engaged the students with some sound activities, getting them to make the noises of the sea and loud screams at dramatic points in the text,” she said. “He also tapped into their creativity with some drawing activities of sea scenes.

“Students were most pleased to receive their own copy of Fishfolk – all signed copies with individual doodles done by Steven in the front of their books.”

The trip has become an annual fixture on the calendar at our school, which is a member of the Wensum Trust.

Mrs Doyle continued: “The trip has become a yearly event for Year 8 students in connection with the Wells Festival of Literature and Landscape. This was our third year attending with our Year 8 students.

“At Alderman Peel High School, we encourage students to invest in their independent reading for pleasure, and, as part of the trip, the organisers of the Festival receive funding to provide all of our Year 8 students with a signed copy of the author’s book.

“Many of our students are now reading Fishfolk in the independent reading time at school.”

There was also the opportunity for our Key Stage 3 students to attend creative writing workshops as part of the Festival, as well as enter a poetry competition, where one talented Alderman Peel writer scooped first prize in her category.

Mrs Doyle added: “Several of our students were invited to the reading event at the Maltings with their parents, along with participants from other local schools. We were proud to house the Key Stage 3 winning entry of Lucia in Year 9 this year.

“Events like these, where students can step outside of their normal school routines for an hour or two in a different setting, to hear an alternative voice from someone new, help to create special memories for the children in a way that benefits their learning.

“They are reminded of their privileges in our school setting, the importance of representing themselves well as a collective in public, and also the power of reading and cherishing the gift of a book that has been personally presented to them by the author themselves.

“Our students are very lucky, and we are immensely grateful to the organisers of the Festival.”