Today we were delighted to welcome author Marie Basting to the Academy for an exciting day of creative workshops with our students.

Pupils in Years 7–9 had the opportunity to take part in inspiring sessions focused on storytelling, character development and creative writing. Throughout the workshops, students explored how authors build engaging stories and were encouraged to unleash their imaginations as they developed their own ideas and characters.

It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm, creativity and confidence in the room as students brought their ideas to life. The sessions provided a wonderful opportunity for students to learn directly from a professional writer and gain insight into the creative process behind storytelling.

Miss Braithwaite, English Teacher and Literacy Lead, said:
"It was a fantastic experience for our students to work with a published author and explore the craft of storytelling. Marie’s workshops were engaging, inspiring and really encouraged our students to think creatively. Opportunities like this help to build confidence in writing and show students that their ideas and voices truly matter."

Paige D in Year 7 also shared her thoughts after the session:
"I really enjoyed the workshop. I love writing and it has made me realise that writing doesn’t have to be serious all the time — it can be really fun."

We would like to say a huge thank you to Marie for sharing her expertise, enthusiasm and passion for writing with our students. We hope this memorable visit has sparked a love of storytelling that will continue to grow.