The Junior Prep School launched its World Book Day festivities with an exciting theatrical experience led by renowned actor and educator Tom Davey. Davey, founder of Bright Torches and an experienced theatre practitioner trained at RADA, spent the week working with pupils in Years 3 and 4 on a series of dynamic Shakespeare workshops.
The celebrations began with Davey guiding pupils through the characters and themes of The Winter’s Tale, helping them bring scenes to life through energetic drama activities. The sessions were met with enthusiasm from pupils and teachers alike, who described the experience as both enriching and memorable—setting an inspiring tone for the school’s reading-focused celebrations.
On 5 March, the excitement continued as the Junior Prep marked World Book Day itself. Year 3 pupils were treated to a special surprise when the Head of College arrived dressed as Paddington Bear, duffle coat and hat included, to read a favourite story to the class. This warm and whimsical visit delighted pupils and perfectly captured the spirit of the day.
Across the school, children embraced the occasion by dressing up as their favourite book characters, filling the corridors with colour, creativity and storytelling magic. To add to the fun, pupils also enjoyed a Roald Dahl–themed lunch, inspired by some of his most beloved stories.
As part of the day’s activities, pupils in Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a visit from acclaimed author Lucy Strange and celebrated illustrator Pam Smy. Together, they led an illustration focused workshop inspired by their ghostly mystery books—beloved for being “a little bit spooky”—which captivated the children.
Meanwhile, pupils in Years 5 and 6 took part in a hands-on Lockett & Wilde workshop, also led by Lucy Strange and multi award winning illustrator Pam Smy. This session explored both writing and illustration, giving pupils an exciting glimpse into how stories grow from idea to finished book. Lucy, a regular visitor to Hurst, was once again an enormous hit, and Pam’s atmospheric artwork added a wonderfully spooky dimension to the experience.
To round off the week, pupils across the Junior Prep enjoyed a series of exciting author events tailored to each age group. Reception to Year 2 welcomed Chris White, the poet, illustrator and author, who spent Friday 6 March working with the youngest pupils. His lively sessions blended poetry, drawing and performance, sparking laughter and creativity throughout the day.
Pupils in Years 3 and 4 also took part in an inspiring Little People, BIG DREAMS online event, exploring the stories of remarkable figures from the worlds of art, science, design and activism. The bestselling biography series highlights how extraordinary achievements often begin with simple childhood dreams—a message that resonated strongly with the children.
Older pupils in Years 5 and 6, along with Years 7 and 8, were treated to an action-packed Young Samurai event with author Chris Bradford. His fast paced, martial arts inspired book series took pupils on an epic historical adventure, perfectly suited to readers who love tales of courage, challenge and triumph against the odds.
These additional events added depth, excitement and variety to the school’s celebrations, ensuring that every pupil, from Reception to Year 8, had the opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration that reading can bring.
