Meet the Author events open to all local state schools

Wolverhampton Grammar School has dedicated, tailored library facilities and support specifically designed for Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form students. This includes separate libraries and tailored research support, homework and after school clubs. The Library service also hosts a range of events throughout the year including author visits and book signings. These events have now become open and accessible to any local state school which would also like to take up the opportunity to meet and take part in an event to hear from a nationally acclaimed children’s author. 

Aims

Wolverhampton Grammar School’s 'Meet the Author' events aims to bring literacy and reading to life. Students get to hear - first hand - from the authors about how they starting writing, how they write, where their inspiration comes from and their advice to young readers and writers. The authors also read extracts from their books and are available to sign copies of their books (at reduced prices).

Resources

Wolverhampton Grammar School provided free use of its facilities and Library staff for the visits. Administrative and event management support was also provided by the school to help promote the event, register attendees, provide support on the day and follow up with the schools involved.

Impact

The effectiveness of this project is measured from feedback not just from participating schools, but from the authors too. Not only has the number of schools accepting invitations to author events increased, but also the number of children participating from those schools.

Authors appreciate the opportunity to engage with a wider audience and the pupils also have the opportunity to connect with students from other schools. Participating authors have also subsequently volunteered to be involved in other events at the school including storytelling workshops and open days.

Pupil Involvement

The age of children invited to author events varies according to the age appropriateness of the author’s books and genre. The Library ensures that author events cater for as many different interests and ages as possible (as well as gender).  

Frequency

Wolverhampton Grammar School Library Services host at least two open author events per term.