Oscar-style ceremony celebrates the best in Fenland’s school writing festival
Pupils at a Fenland school have celebrated their writing prowess with an ‘Oscars-style’ presentation ceremony to celebrate the best in each year group.
West Walton Primary School kicked off the New Year with a three-week literacy festival across the whole school.
Assistant headteacher Caraline Lock said: “Writing is an area of the curriculum that we're trying to raise the profile and attainment of across the school, and we know that children write best when they are engaged and enthused.”
Knowing that the school set about running the literacy festival with each class choosing to study a traditional tale from the well-loved Cinderella, Goldilocks, and the Three Little Pigs as well as other favourites that included Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel and Rumpelstilskin.
The children read versions of their chosen story in class and then practiced re-telling it.
This enabled them to develop their reading fluency, their vocabulary, and also their confidence in speaking aloud and performing as a storyteller. Once the children were familiar with their story, they were allowed to change one or two elements, and then write their own version, with some classes using drama and art to aid creativity.
At the end of the three-week festival, the teachers found they had their work cut out in trying to select the winners for each category: Best Character Description, Best Setting Description, Best Storyteller and Best Overall Story.
The Reception Class also had a Best Actor award.
The children were all incredibly proud of their finished pieces and some really tough decisions had to be made by staff.
Caraline added: “When the winners were announced, we had some very surprised, albeit highly delighted faces coming up to collect their medals and Oscar statuettes, which was really lovely to see.
“All of the children really seemed to enjoy the project and the teachers have already been asked by their classes if they're going to be doing it again soon. Due to its success, we might very well make it an annual event in the school's calendar.”
