Staff and pupils from South Otterington C of E Primary School are celebrating the publication of a brand-new book written and illustrated by the children following a visit to a local housing development.
The project began when Year 3 and 4 pupils visited the Saints Green at Peggy’s Field site in the village, where housebuilder Lovell is constructing 42 new homes. During the visit, the children took a guided tour, learned about site safety, and tried their hand at bricklaying.
Following the trip, the pupils were tasked with creating a fictional storybook based on their experiences. Older pupils wrote the narrative while younger students created the accompanying illustrations.
Naomi Lanham, Year 3 and 4 class teacher, said: “The children absolutely loved their trip to the site – it was practical and hands-on and they had a fantastic time. Putting together the book was the perfect way to remember the visit.
“The initial visit tied into our geography lessons, demonstrating how local land can be used for new housing. We then learnt about story structure in English lessons, and used that to put the narrative together. The students had to include some action, some humour, and include a problem that had to be solved. It all came together to make a brilliant, informative story, and the children loved every minute of the process.”
Once the book, titled A Trip To Lovell, was completed, the school shared a digital copy with the developer, who arranged to have it professionally published.
Pupils recently returned to Saints Green to mark the official opening of the “Lovell Little Library,” a new mini-library hub on the development where a copy of the children’s book will be kept for local residents to borrow and share.
Rebecca Darby, Head of Sales for Lovell in the North East, said: “We welcomed South Otterington C of E Primary School to site over a year ago, and they’ve worked so hard to bring that visit to life in their brilliant book. We’re opening the Lovell Little Library on site for residents to swap and share reading materials, and it seems fitting that one of the first books on the shelf is inspired by the development itself.”
The launch also marks a poignant moment for the school community as Headteacher Miss Gledhill prepares to retire at the end of the school year.
Naomi added: “This project has been a great opportunity to translate educational skills into reality. They feel such pride at being authors and illustrators, and it’s wonderful to see. Our Head, Miss Gledhill, is retiring at the end of the school year and it’s the perfect time to see this project completed. What a keepsake to take away!”
