At Risedale, we're always keen to celebrate our pupils' achievements and encourage a love for reading. On Thursday, 22nd May, a select group of Year 7 pupils had a unique opportunity to participate in a nationwide live-streamed author event with the incredibly popular children's author, David Walliams. This fantastic event was organised by Read for Good, a charity dedicated to encouraging children to read for enjoyment while also providing books and stories to children in hospitals and schools.

These particular pupils were invited as a special literacy reward, recognising their consistently strong work and dedication in English lessons. Gathered in the school library, they joined Miss Sellers, our Librarian, to tune into the event.

The session offered our pupils a direct connection with one of the UK's most beloved authors. David Walliams spoke engagingly about his books, sharing the inspirations behind his memorable characters and the imaginative worlds he creates. He also gave insights into his writing process, providing a fascinating look at how a story develops from an initial idea to a published book.

"Our pupils were fully immersed in the event," commented Miss Sellers. "It's genuinely inspiring for them to hear directly from an author like David Walliams about his craft. Experiences like this really help to bring stories to life beyond the page."

The pupils were clearly captivated throughout the event, enjoying Walliams' humorous anecdotes and thoughtful reflections on storytelling. It was a wonderful way to motivate our young learners and highlight the exciting possibilities that literature offers.

We hope that hearing directly from David Walliams will further encourage our pupils to explore new books, foster their own creativity, and perhaps even inspire some budding writers among them!

Well done again to all the Year 7 pupils who earned this special reward – your hard work continues to be recognised and celebrated!

#TeamRisedale 💙💜🧡❤️ #BEST

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