Exploring the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London was an amazing way to finish King’s Ely Prep’s Book Week!
Instead of just celebrating World Book Day on March 7th, in typical King’s fashion, we decided to go all out and relish in all things books, literacy, reading and writing at Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep from March 4th right the way through to March 8th – and the children LOVED it.
The theme at Prep was ‘fantasy fiction’, and as if author visits, scavenger hunts and costume parades were not magical enough, a trip to the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾ and more was organised for 41 pupils from Years 6 to 8 by Mrs Rachel Axten-Higgs and Mrs Katie Mankellow.
Mrs Axten-Higgs, who is our Head of Key Stage 2 English, said: “We all learnt so much about the variety of skills needed to make a huge production like Harry Potter, such as writers, engineers, actors, make-up and so on. Half-way around the tour, many students enjoyed a lovely glass of butterbeer or some butterbeer flavoured ice cream, as well as seeing the famous Hogwarts Express and Privet Drive. Our fantastic day concluded with a trip to the gift shop and a lot of Harry Potter memorabilia was purchased to take home with us, including wands, chocolate frogs and butterbeer tankards. Lots of vomit and earthworm flavoured sweets and giant lollipops were enjoyed on the bus home! Thank you to Mrs Clark, Mrs Jones and Mr Barraclough for supporting the day and thank you to all the students for being amazing!”
As reported during Book Week, the celebrations at Prep involved pupils from Years 3 to 8. Highlights included creative writing workshops with best-selling children’s authors, Michelle Harrison and Jennifer Bell; book-themed escape room challenges in our Porta Library; a debating workshop with our Head of English at King’s Ely Senior, Dr Daniel Gabelman, in which pupils discussed ‘Which is better – fantasy fiction or realistic fiction?’; a fantasy fiction cake baking competition; quizzes; book fairs and so much more!
Mr Richard Whymark, who is Head of King’s Ely Prep, said: “Our fabulous Fantasy Fiction Book Week saw many events filling each day, and it was really uplifting to see the children embracing all that the range of opportunities offered them. The team pulled out all the stops and created a really special atmosphere across the Prep years throughout. I would like to thank all of our English Team and their leaders, Mrs Axten-Higgs and Mrs Mankellow, for the exceptional richness of the five days’ lessons and activities. I hope that along with me, your children came home buzzing with ideas inspired by the theme of the week!”