Children's author hosts writing workshop at Grantham school
A best-selling children’s author hosted a writing workshop for pupils at a Grantham primary school.
Tom Palmer visited pupils at Belton Lane Primary School, in Green Lane, on Thursday to host the editing and improving workshop for pupils in Key Stage 2.
It was the second time that the author had visited the school after being invited to open their new school library four years ago.
Headteacher Jonathan Mason was happy to welcome Tom back.
He said: “Reading is something that we really emphasise within our school. Tom is great. He writes for children who are reluctant readers just as he was. He started off by writing tales about football and mystery type stories but has now got a new range of books about the First and Second World Wars.”
The live editing workshops proved to be a big hit with all the pupils who were very enthusiastic to get involved and show off their creative writing skills.
Mr Mason added: “They all edit and improve their work in the classroom every day but it was good for them to see that a story or book is not produced straight away and how to write for an audience.
“Tom was able to show how it all fits together so it made sense to them.”
Tom is the author of three Puffin football children’s series, Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad.
Foul Play was shortlisted for the 2009 Blue Peter Book Award.
He is currently researching and planning a new children’s story about three hundred child concentration camp survivors, known as the Windermere Boys, who came to the Lake District nearly 75 years ago with support from the Lake District Holocaust Project.
He wants to encourage children of all ages and abilities to enjoy reading.
He said: “I struggled with reading when I was young. I didn’t have the stamina to read long books. My mum got me reading newspapers and magazines about football to build my reading.
“I now write books that I’d have liked to read when I was a child. They are not too long but have lots of cliffhangers. I like them to be entertaining but not to have too much description.
“I think it is really important for children to know that when teachers suggest they rework their writing that there is a point to it, that people who write books or in newspapers draft and redraft their writing several times to help it make sense and be something someone will enjoy reading.”
If you would like more information, visit: www.tompalmer.co.uk
