Friday June 5th 2026
Today, I had the pleasure of spending a full day at Millfields First School, where I delivered a whole-school assembly, creative writing workshops, and had the honour of officially opening the school’s brand-new reading den.
It’s not every day that an author gets handed a pair of scissors and asked to cut a ribbon, so that was certainly one of the highlights of this visit!
As the pupils gathered around, they began chanting:
“Cut it! Cut it! Cut it!”
Thankfully, the ribbon gave way first time to a round of cheers and applause.
The reading den itself is a fantastic addition to the school. Nestled at the edge of the playground, it provides a dedicated space where children can enjoy books and reading for pleasure. I was delighted to present the school with a complimentary copy of WARNING: Grandma’s Gone Bonkers, which now sits alongside the other books on its shelves.
What will stay with me most from the day, however, were the conversations I had with teachers throughout the workshops.
Several teachers spoke to me about pupils who do not normally enjoy writing, rarely engage with classroom activities, or are often reluctant to participate. Time and again, they told me how pleased they were to see those same pupils fully immersed in my creative activities.
One comment in particular stood out.
A teacher presented a certificate to a pupil and said:
“I have never seen you so engrossed and so involved in what you were doing.”
Comments like that mean a great deal to me.
One of the reasons I enjoy school visits so much is that they provide opportunities for children to approach reading and writing from a different angle. Not every child shines through traditional academic work, but creativity gives many pupils a chance to express themselves, share their ideas, and discover confidence in their own voice.
That spirit seemed to run through the entire day, and it was matched by the warmth and support shown by the staff.
From being greeted when I arrived, to the caretaker helping me with my ridiculously heavy author trolley, to the headteacher fetching additional boxes of books when I ran low on stock during the book signing, everyone went out of their way to help make the visit a success.
Those acts of kindness might seem small individually, but together they helped create a day that was enjoyable, welcoming, and memorable from start to finish.
A huge thank you to all the pupils and staff at Millfields First School for such a memorable day.
I left feeling thoroughly exhausted, but also reminded once again why I love visiting schools and encouraging children to read and write for pleasure.
