Dan Smith Author Event

Author, Dan Smith visited Trent College to provide an exciting and interactive experience for Year 5 and 6 children from external state primary schools (Dovedale Primary School, Firfield Primary School and Longmoor Primary School), and our junior school, The Elms. Dan talked for an hour about his life as a writer and the books he has written. There was an opportunity to meet him afterwards and have a copy of his 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.

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 children that attended:

"It was really good. I was so excited to meet a real-life author."

"I want to travel like Dan and write stories about the places I go."

Pupil Involvement

120 Y5 and Y6 pupils from The Elms and 135 Y6 pupils from 3 external primary schools.

Frequency

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