Famous author visits Angmering School

Best-selling author Alyson Noel, who has topped The New York Times’ chart, visited the school to speak to a select group of year-eight and nine girls.

Alyson, who wrote the popular Immortals series, gave a candid and intimate talk about how she was inspired, through reading a Judy Blume novel, to become a writer.

The multi-award-winning author then took part in a question-and-answer session, followed by a marathon book signing for some of her excited fans.

Year-nine student Jade Harris, who is a fan of the Immortals, said: “The series appealed to me because the characters wanted to be more than they ever could be in real life and it blurred the barriers between fantasy and reality.”

Alyson was impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the students who attended the event.

She said: “I had a wonderful time at The Angmering School and I am so grateful they invited me. The students were amazing, very attentive and asked so many great questions. I ran out of time to answer them all, which is great as an author.”

The visit helped to highlight the school’s literacy programme, DEAR – Drop Everything And Read.

Introduced during the summer term, following on from successful Stop, Drop and Read days, the scheme ensures that students spend at least 15 minutes a day reading.

English teacher Anne-Marie Anderson said: “At The Angmering School we believe that reading is the key that unlocks the curriculum.

“If students are given the opportunity to relate reading for pleasure to all areas of the curriculum, it will help them to understand the relevance of subjects in the real world. DEAR time is making a real difference to our students and they were inspired by Alyson Noel’s visit today.”