Duke’s World Book Day 2026 has been truly epic…
We kicked off our celebrations on Tuesday when we welcomed author and filmmaker Henry Vyner-Brooks and his Great Northern Tour. His workshops for Years 7, 8, and 9 focused on more than just writing, (although they did get lots of useful tips); they focused on resilience.
Henry shared his story of overcoming severe dyslexia to find success in the literary world, which deeply inspired everyone. He did a presentation about his books and films, shared some extremely useful tips for writing and then concluded the session with a creative writing challenge for our students – focused on suspense and tension, which he then judged.
Noah, Leigha, Jack, Mollie and Oliver were all given signed books as prizes!
English Lessons
This week, our English department transformed into a hub of literary celebration! To mark World Book Day, our staff shared their personal love for reading by displaying their favorite titles in every classroom.
The festivities took a creative turn with our “Shelfie” Challenge, where students turned detective to match teachers with their home bookshelves. We also took a peek into the minds of our educators through their “Desert Island Books”—a great starting point for some brilliant classroom discussions.
Get Involved!
The excitement isn’t over yet. Students can still enter our two headline competitions:
- Write a Book Review
- Design a Book Cover
Both competitions are open until March 27, 2026, with £10 Amazon vouchers up for grabs for the winners. Show us your creativity!
Thursday 5th March 2026: World Book Day!
World Book Day on March 5th was a whirlwind of activity, bringing together students, visitors, and families to celebrate the power of the written word.
Morning Inspiration: Visiting Schools & Future Prospects
We kicked off the day in Period 1 by welcoming students from The Castle School. It was a joy to see them exploring our shelves, picking out new favorite reads, and diving into book-themed jigsaws.
By Period 3, the focus shifted to the “why” behind the “what.” Our student group engaged in a lively debate about how reading shapes our future prospects. The consensus was clear: whether you want to be an astronaut or an artist, reading is the ultimate superpower for any career!
The session wrapped up with a high-energy reading quiz and a “Favorite Book” writing competition.
A huge congratulations to our winners, judged by Ms. Everton:
| Year Group | Top 3 Finalists | Overall Winner |
| Year 7 | Hanna, Sherrie, and Oliver | Oliver |
| Year 8 | Lola, Sophie, and Zara | Zara |
Connecting with Families
We were delighted to welcome 12 parents and carers for a special Period 5 session. This was a fantastic opportunity for families to tour our facilities and hear from Mrs. Bonham regarding the National Year of Reading 2026.
The library truly came to life with:
- Interactive Exhibits: Including a popular display of Harry Potter memorabilia and authentic film props.
- The Big Quiz: A friendly but competitive round! Well done to our top three scorers: Thomas, Oliver, and Rubi.
It was wonderful to see so many families engaging with our staff and seeing first-hand where their children’s literacy journeys take place.
