Hundreds of schoolchildren join author for Big Write workshops
HUNDREDS OF children from 22 schools across North Yorkshire have taken part in one of the largest literacy workshops in the UK – collectively generating more than 200,000 words.
The Big Write, hosted at the Royal Hall as part of Harrogate International Festivals, featured children’s author Tom Palmer leading creative writing workshops themed around the World Cup.
The event on Friday was attended by 620 Year 4 and 5 pupils who travelled from across Harrogate, Tadcaster and Skipton.
Simon Asker from Ashville College, which has sponsored the event for the second year and had 75 pupils attending the morning session, said: “It was a winning goal to have Tom Palmer lead the creative writing workshop this year.
“Football is a brilliant and fun way to engage young minds, especially when it’s dominating our TV screens with the World Cup. We are passionate about developing a lifelong love of writing and reading. Creative expression is hugely important for children to boost confidence and communication skills, as well as develop literacy.”
The annual event is part of Harrogate International Festivals’ programme of outreach arts.
The festival, attended by thousands from across the country, has built a reputation for delivering book and author events with its Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and the Raworths Literature Festival. Past authors have included JK Rowling and Michael Morpurgo.
On Friday, young authors also saw a selection of work from the day published and shared online at teaching resource Pobble.
Lizzie Brewster, development manager at Harrogate International Festivals, said: “Harrogate International Festivals is passionate about providing an enjoyable and engaging platform for the exploration of literature for young children and in ensuring that access to the arts is available for all children. Who knows, we could inspire the next Tom Palmer or JK Rowling.”