Catherine Johnson Inspires Year 7 Writers

On Thursday 8th October, the HAB Library was delighted to welcome back acclaimed author Catherine Johnson, best known to our students as the author of Freedom, a key text in the Year 7 English curriculum.

Throughout the day, Catherine led three engaging workshops, encouraging students to see themselves as writers and showing them that great stories begin with imagination. Through a range of creative activities, she inspired students to trust their ideas, explore different possibilities and have fun with storytelling.

The Library was soon filled with creativity, imagination and smiles as students immersed themselves in the writing activities. Inspired by Catherine's guidance, they quickly invented memorable characters, selected intriguing settings and plunged straight into the action of their stories. Pens raced across pages as ideas took shape and imaginations flourished.

From mysterious boxes containing eyes to encounters with supervillains and long-hidden family secrets, students produced story openings that immediately captured their readers' attention. What was the eye doing in the box? What did the supervillains want with the narrator? And would the protagonist's mother finally reveal the truth?

A huge thank you to Catherine for another inspiring visit. We look forward to seeing where our Year 7 students' imaginations take them next.