Robert Clack School welcomed children’s author Dan Freedman as part of their transition project which is based on his book ‘Born to Play’.

The project has been designed to help with the transition from primary school to secondary school for Year 7 pupils. Each child is given a copy of the book before starting Year 7 to read and complete a range of tasks.

In its third year, the successful project now includes a meet and greet with Dan Freedman and the children get to have a discussion with him about the book and why reading is so important. 

On his visit to the school, Dan said: “The school and the students were magnificent. The questions and discussions we had covered so many different subjects and to see every student clutching their book was such a wonderful sight.”

Russell Taylor, Headteacher of Robert Clack School said: "We are thrilled to welcome Dan for a third year to inspire our year 7 cohort. We take pride in supporting pupils to read for pleasure and we feel this partnership places the joy of reading at the forefront" 

For their work in this specific area of reading, the school has been awarded The Society of Authors CWIG Reading for Pleasure award.

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for School Improvement and Educational Attainment said: “This sounds like the perfect event to help new pupils of Robert Clack settle into the school and develop their appreciation for literature.”

“Reading is vitally important for everyone, not just children. It helps to develop the mind, increase vocabulary, discover new things and lets your imagination run wild. I hope the pupils took a lot away from the visit.”