Award winning children’s author opens new reading area at Southport school

An award winning children’s author enthralled pupils when he visited a Southport school to open their new outside reading area.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who has collaborated with Oscar winning director Danny Boyle and was the writer behind the opening ceremony of the 2012  London Olympics, made a special appearance at St John’s C of E Primary in Crossens.

The Bootle born novelist and screenwriter inspired teachers and children alike with stories of his own school-days and they were the first to get a sneak preview of his new book.

He read an excerpt from Noah’s Gold released on May 12th which tells the story of a boy marooned on a desert island with his friends while on a geography field trip.

With no teachers and no way off the island Noah finds a treasure-map and he and his school friends set off to search for gold.

He chatted to pupils from Year 4, 5 and 6 and answered questions in the playground before officially opening the Seaside Garden reading area and cutting the ribbon.

Frank told pupils he had spent lockdown re-reading some of his favourite novels and said: “Reading takes me to a happy place.”

Year 6 pupil Marley Hall said: “He was brilliant and made us all laugh. He told us about his first day of school when got teased for wearing a red bow-tie because his mum said he’d look smart and how he thought one of his teachers was actually a Dalek.

“I just can’t wait to read his new book. It sounds so exciting.”

In a bid to give pupils lots of opportunity and a quiet space to read staff at St John’s have been busy creating reading areas all over the school.

The outdoor Seaside Garden is decorated with photographs of Southport taken during lockdown by students and filled with seating made from reclaimed decking and tyres.

Year 1 teacher Charlotte Preston who planned and put together the outdoor area said: Frank was so lovely He gave up his time to come and inspire our children which was just wonderful.”

“He spoke about first getting into story writing when he was still at primary school and his great love of comics and answered lots of questions from the children like the first book he read and the first one he wrote which was Millions that won the Carnegie Medal.

“There were also lots of questions about Dr Who after he told them he had written a few episodes of the show.”

“He was really impressed with our reading areas around school which we are so proud of as it gives all our children chance to enjoy a good book which we believe is one of the best ways to learn.”

The school made a donation to Frank’s chosen charity Mary’s Meals a charity which helps feed the poorest children around the world.