Author Event - Robin Stevens

Author, Robin Stevens visited Trent College to provide an exciting and interactive experience for Year 5 and 6 children from external state primary schools (Grange Primary School, Dovedale Primary School, Firfield Primary School, English Martyrs Catholic Voluntary Academy, Brooklands Primary School and Draycott Primary School). Robin talked for an hour about her life as a writer and the books she has written. There was an opportunity to meet her afterwards and have a copy of her book signed.

Aims

We try and invite as many authors into Trent College as we can, particularly when there is an opportunity for external schools to join us. By listening to and meeting 'real-life' authors, children are often inspired to read more widely and start writing stories of their own.

Background

The Head of Library Services works closely with the Primary School Liaison Co-ordinator to identify potential opportunities for visiting authors to come to Trent College. We try to organise at least 2 author visits a year.

Resources

Trent College hosts the event and reserves hall space for the duration of the visit. Refreshments are provided for the visiting schools and there is no cost attached for their attendance. Non-teaching staff manage the event and are present throughout. Mini-bus transport was provided for Draycott Primary School to access the event.

Impact

We would like children to leave with a love of reading or an interest to read more widely and to do so for pleasure.

Comments from primary school teachers that attended:

"The children really enjoyed listening to Robin and reading her new book. They are all now inspired to go away and write crime stories!"

"We all loved the event. Robin was great and the children haven't put her book down since they got back to school."

Pupil Involvement

260 Year 6 pupils from 6 external primary schools.

Frequency

This is a one-off event with Robin Stevens but Trent does try and host two author visits a year.