Bablake Junior School Welcomes Professional Storyteller

Bablake Junior School pupils had a fantastic time hearing stories from professional storyteller John Harris.

Over the last twenty years John Harris has told stories to great acclaim in schools all over the UK and Ireland as well as libraries, arts centres and literary festivals. His work encourages listening and speaking skills, concentration, an understanding of narrative, and the love of stories which is the basis not just of a love of reading but of a fully rounded human being.

His style is relaxed and conversational – he works very hard at making it look as if he is not working at all. He never works from scripts and can tell any one of his stories off the top of his head in about half a dozen different ways.

John was with us all day and started his storytelling in the morning when Pre Prep Year 2 pupils and teachers came over to join Year 3 and listened intently at John’s first story of the day. After break Year 4 enjoyed his rendition of Imaginary Worlds and Year 5 were jumping with fright at his interpretation of Beowulf which they are currently reading in class. Year 6 were all on the edge of their seats in the last session of the day when John told them a story about a mysterious crime...

A big thank you to John for coming to Bablake Junior School and for such wonderful performances. The children were completely blown away and left each storytelling with huge smiles on their faces. 

Year 6 enjoying listening to John