Youngsters from Clitheroe enjoy virtual storytelling sessions for World Book Day

Groups of pupils at Moorland School, Clitheroe, were recently treated to virtual storytelling sessions ahead of World Book Day
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Whilst storytelling sessions can’t take place in person under the current restrictions, Barratt and David Wilson Homes hosted a series of Microsoft Teams sessions for two classes of the school’s pupils for them to enjoy a range of terrific tales with a professional storyteller.

The leading developer teamed up with Richard York, a member of the Society for Storytelling, to arrange a morning of stories for the school’s Key Stage 2 pupils so they could still make the most of the World Book Day jubilations.

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Deborah Frost, assistant headteacher at Moorland School, said: “We are so pleased that our children got to take part in this exciting story-telling event. Every single child was engaged, enthralled and happy.

Pupils were treated to the virtual storytelling sessionsPupils were treated to the virtual storytelling sessions
Pupils were treated to the virtual storytelling sessions

“Richard is a fantastic storyteller, and it was lovely to see the children celebrating the love of reading and stories in this way. We want to thank the team at Barrett and David Wilson Homes for involving us in this amazing event and we can't wait to get story-telling ourselves, in time for World Book Day”

The school, close to Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ Waddow Heights development in Clitheroe, involved its pupils learning from home and its key worker children at school in the sessions listening intently to Richard’s enchanting tales.

World Book Day is celebrated on Thursday 4th March and aims to engage both children and adults in the long-established pastime of storytelling. The youngsters discovered how oral storytelling has allowed stories to survive and adapt over thousands of years, across multiple continents.

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Richard York added: “It was a delight to work with the school, both the children and the teachers. Traditional storytelling can give so much to people of all ages as well as children, and these days it's more important than ever.

“The children's response shows how much the magic of these stories, often passed down over many hundreds of years, can still come through despite the limitations of having to work online rather than the shared experience of being in the room together.

“I am so grateful to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for providing the opportunity, and to the school for being so very cooperative. What a great way to celebrate storytelling, so close to World Book Day!”

Barratt and David Wilson Homes would usually celebrate World Book Day by inviting local school pupils for a storytelling session in its show homes, however, this year the leading developer is asking nearby schools to enjoy the experience virtually.

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Philippa Stewart, Head of Sales at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North West, said: “We have missed inviting the local pupils into our show homes this year but it was wonderful to work with Moorland School to ensure they could still celebrate World Book Day.

“Richard York’s stories captivated everyone involved and it was great to host the virtual sessions as part of a campaign which promotes skills such as reading, writing, listening and creativity.”