This term Year 7 students at Tor Bridge High were treated to an energetic and inspiring talk by Joffre White, a celebrated children's writer and Patron of Reading.  Joffre, an avid supporter of libraries, captivated the audience with his engaging anecdotes and shared his belief that reading has the power to change lives.

He has written five books and is also a member of the National Association of Writers in Education and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.  He actively promotes the importance of reading, literacy and creative writing by visiting schools, colleges, libraries and delivering his acclaimed, interactive, motivational and inspiring sessions designed to excite and energise young people’s imagination. 

During the event, Joffre compared the school’s library to the famous TARDIS from Doctor Who, noting that it’s “bigger on the inside”—encapsulating the endless adventures and knowledge that can be discovered within the pages of a book.  His talk encouraged the students to explore new worlds through reading, while highlighting the importance of libraries in fostering imagination and learning.

At Tor Bridge High, the library truly is at the heart of the school and reading for pleasure is promoted through an abundance of literacy rich events that take place regularly. So far this year, these have included Non-fiction November, Fright Club, Seasons Readings, Book Buzz where every Year 7 student received a free book of their choice and, one of the School’s most popular reading events of the year, Harry Potter Week where the Tor Bridge High library was transformed into Hogwarts itself!

The school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to providing its students with opportunities to expand their imaginations, develop critical thinking skills, and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

Tracy Stephenson, Headteacher at Tor Bridge High said:

“We are so grateful to Joffre White for taking the time to visit and share his passion for reading with our students.  His visit truly brought reading to life, and we hope it inspired our Year 7s to continue reading and exploring the power of books.  We agree with Joffre that reading can change lives, and it’s exciting to see our students so enthusiastic about their literary journeys!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Trust said:

“We are incredibly proud to support events like this that ignite a passion for reading and learning in young people.  Joffre White’s visit to Tor Bridge High was a wonderful example of how literature can inspire and transform lives.  By encouraging students to explore the world through books, we are helping to build confident, creative individuals who will carry these valuable skills with them throughout their lives. A big thank you to Joffre for sharing his expertise and enthusiasm!”