Young readers inspired by author visit at Manor Primary School

Pupils at Manor Primary School and Nursery in Didcot enjoyed an unforgettable morning with author Jamie Hammond, in a visit that brought storytelling to life and left children buzzing with excitement.

Jamie Hammond, author of ‘GRUMPFORT’, is based in Cambridgeshire and published his first book last year. He is a children’s book author and designer and writes and designs his own novels, which he uses to celebrate bravery, friendship, being kind and being unique, and to reflect the characters he wished he'd grown up with. His second book, ‘Dragonflare’, was published just last month.

The session was packed with activity from the start, with pupils warming up by solving riddles and testing their memories before setting off on a hunt for golden treasure. Throughout the morning, children threw themselves into each activity with enthusiasm, and the energy in the room was clear to see. The visit, organised in partnership with Tom from Mostly Books, formed part of Manor’s commitment to nurturing a genuine love of reading and storytelling among its pupils. 

Ben Thomas, headteacher at Manor Primary School and Nursery, said: "Visits like this are exactly what primary school should be about. Jamie brought such energy and creativity to the morning, and it was a joy to see our children so completely absorbed in the activities. We are hugely grateful to Jamie and to Tom from Mostly Books for giving our pupils an experience that will stay with them."

Manor Primary School is a one-form mixed entry school based in Didcot, Oxfordshire. The school joined GLF Schools in May 2019 and has classes from Reception to Year 6.