National Storytelling Week
A big thank you to Tom Palmer, our award-winning guest author, who was our first surprise reader for the Learning Hub’s morning break Story Café, as part of our weeklong celebrations for National Storytelling Week 2026. All year 3-8 were invited each day for a special snack and a drink while they curled up and listened to a story. The theme this year was ‘soundtrack your life’, aimed at promoting a love of story creation through music and rhythm.
A huge thank you also to all our additional readers; Mrs O’Sullivan who read a ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ book about the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald (including audio clips), Mrs Jervois who explored the rhythm of Julia Donaldson’s Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book and Room on the Broom, Miss Nicholson who read The Bear and the Piano, a heart-warming tale about a bear who discovers a love of piano playing, and Mdme Simpson who read The Cheeky Crow in English and also French (it was also French Day on Wednesday), where pupils joined in with the noisy sounds of the crow. And finally, a huge thank you to Culinera for providing such an array of tasty and beautifully crafted biscuits!
Monday: Blind Karaoke
Everyone was invited to take part in karaoke at lunch break to celebrate the power of song lyrics in storytelling. Pupils could choose from a selection of tunes from Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, One Direction and more! Passionate singing could be heard all around bringing a good feeling and fun. Well done to everyone who took part.
Tuesday: Story Rap
Some wonderful Gruffalo rap performed with great rhythm and enthusiasm by all ages. The Julia Donaldson books provided great material for reading and rapping, and some were inspired to write their own.
Thursday: Steampunk Story House Competition
“Chaotic but good fun!” “It was really fun to take part and make up stories.” “I think I might try this at home.”
Just some of the responses to a very noisy but entertaining house competition for year 5-8. After exploring what sounds they could make with array of ordinary household objects such as a squeaky toy, saucepans and lids, a plastic wrapper, hairdryer, rice in a yogurt pot, scissors and wooden spoons the challenge was to create and narrate a story inspired by the sounds. It was great to see collaboration across year groups, creativity and a lot of laughs. First prize went to Cedar, second to Beech and third to Oak with Cob and Yew running close behind. Well done to everyone who took part.
Friday: Movie Time
Pupils were able to choose from a host of percussion instruments and play along to Tom and Jerry cartoons. They realised how much sound is used to bring the story alive. There were some very observant individuals who played along exactly to the beat of the footage and others who were happy to join in more freely. A relaxing and enjoyable end to National Storytelling Week!
