Connecting Stories

Campaign Manager of ‘Connecting Stories’ Ali Hemsley explains how the National Literacy Trust have brought collaborated events to local children, that encourage them to embrace the joys of reading and writing through a calendar of exciting activities, including book donations and virtual event invitations. Hub partner and supporter Bloomsbury Publishing and two of their authors, Michelle Robinson and Lesley Parr, championed reading and creative writing in the Hastings community, alongside additional cross-Hub authors such as Matt Lucas, Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell and Anthony Horowitz. To

CONNECTING L aunched in January 2021 and delivered by the National Literacy Trust, the Arts Council England-funded project STORIES further support the goal of encouraging children to become readers and writers, publisher Bloomsbury also donated more than 400 books to the Hastings area, ‘Connecting Stories’ has on top of the thousands they increased children and young donated to the town during people’s access to literary the pandemic in 2020 experiences and books. Following the launch of

The Connecting Stories Connecting Stories in spring, campaign extended across children in Hastings age 7 the nation and worked to 11 were invited to take within the 14 local areas part in a creative writing supported by the National competition, with the theme Literacy Trust, including ‘Discovery’. Their entries Hastings. A momentous 26 were displayed in an online publishers and 55 authors exhibition, supported by supported the project, which Hastings Museum and engaged over 95,000 people. Art Gallery, and

The National Literacy published in Trust Hub in Hastings an anthology. was launched in January Local teachers 2019, working with local declared that the exciting partners and communities opportunity for children to raise awareness of the to see their work published importance of literacy while made a ‘huge impact’ on improving school readiness improving the confidence of in the early years, primary their classes, and provided school reading levels and a sense of purpose during encouraging reading for a time of remote learning. pleasure. When returning to school,

Eighteen schools in children watched the virtual Sussex were supported exhibition and launch by Connecting Stories video in assemblies and it

‘connected the lockdown experience with the real-life experience.’

Businesses and schools in Hastings joined together on 10th May to kick off ‘World Mental Health Awareness Week’ with a 10 minute read-a-long to improve wellbeing. Awardwinning author Anthony Horowitz visited schools virtually to share his love of writing and reading with the children. He explained that he finds reading, “a wonderful way to escape from the world into a safer, happier, more enjoyable place” and encouraged the children to follow their passions and to always do what they love.

A further highlight of Connecting Stories in Hastings was the celebration of ‘Pirate Week’ with a selection of incredible piratethemed online events and an exciting competition. Local teachers declared that the exciting opportunity for children to see their work published made a ‘huge impact’ on improving the confidence of their classes

Authors Thomas Taylor, Laura James, A F Harrold, Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin led workshops for children in Key Stages 1 and 2, and took part in Q&A sessions. In his live-stream event, Thomas Taylor inspired children by sharing his love for beachcombing, and how it’s influenced his writing. Children were excited to see the ‘Mermaid’s Tear’ that he discovered and hear him read from his book Malamander, whose fantasy town Eerie-on-Sea was inspired by Hastings. The National

Literacy Trust extends their gratitude to Arts Council England as well as the publishers, authors, businesses, schools, families and communities who supported the project and are pleased to share that the Connecting Stories initiative will continue into 2022. l

To stay up to date with activities in Hastings and the surrounding area, visit literacytrust.org.uk/hastings

Welcome to Chailey School

Everyone the best they can be

Chailey School is a thriving secondary school of approximately 800 students from 11 to 16 years of age. Our vision is ‘everyone the best they can be’. We believe in traditional values and these underpin life in the school. The key personal attributes of kindness, independence, resilience, creativity, community and participation are encouraged and promoted through the formal curriculum and extensive extra -curricular programme. We have high expectations of students in both their work and behaviour and all students are known as individuals. Whatever a student’s talents or abilities, our

reputation as an inclusive school ensures that all needs are met – for those who are gifted and talented and for those who need additional support. The true measure of our success is seeing a school full of happy, confident, independent young people, fully engaged in their education. If you would like to see the school in action, please do call to arrange a visit: 01273 890407 www.chaileyschool.org Open Event: Thursday 30th September 2021

Please check our website for updates on the arrangements for our Open Event in September. Open Mornings: Week commencing 4th October and 11th October 2021. Please contact our reception team to book a place.

THE STUDENTS, STAFF AND GOVERNORS LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU.

PUPILS ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OFSTED 2017

EDUCATING SUSSEX

EDUCATION SERVICES TO HELP YOU FIND THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN IN SUSSEX

Violin & Viola Lessons

30 year experience, enthusiastic, kindly and qualified teacher accepts all levels from beginners to diploma students. Also late starters and restarters!

Sundari Heller LRAM 01342 823099 East Grinstead, Forest Row, Haywards Heath and Uckfield

Qualified and Patient Tutors

Free assessment. Tutoring in reading and phonics, maths, English, science, KS1 + 2, SATS, 11+ and 13+, KS3, GCSEs, A Levels, French, Italian, Spanish and German at all levels.

Effective Education Centre, 59 Railway Approach, East Grinstead RH19 1BT 01342 317417

Lindsay’s Animal School

Visit our Mongolian Yurt and therapy gardens in the beautiful south downs. Meet live animals! Educational and therapeutic animal handling for all ages.

07795 422036 www.animalschool.co.uk animalschool@yahoo.com

A Career in Garden Design

Start a new career in garden design by attending the Practical Drawing Course in Lewes from the 6th to 10th September and the Professional Diploma in East and West Sussex from 21st September 2021 to 5th July 5th 2022.

01273 477746 www.nigelphilips.co.uk

Sussex Tuition Centre

We have carefully selected tutors at Sussex Tuition Centre who provide tuition in all subjects at all levels in a safe environment in Haywards Heath.

01444 647648 www.sussextuitioncentre.co.uk

The Unseen World

A fascinating 36-week course of basic studies in Esoteric Knowledge, Anatomy, The Chakras, Sacred Geometry, Sound, Listening Skills, Meditation and other relevant subjects with visiting speakers.

Tuesday 7.30pm to 10pm or Friday 9.30am to 1pm – Starting 14th or 17th September. 07787 417527

Poponin

Come along for a creative craft experience this October half-term. So many materials in one place means there is something for everyone. Daily craft sessions start at £6pp for 1 hour. Clubs start at £18pp for 3 hours. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

www.poponin.co.uk 01273 833393 94 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PX