As young children, we regularly settle down to listen to a story, told by our parents, teacher or family, but as we get older this favoured past-time becomes scarcer. We read alone, or maybe not at all.
National Storytelling Week is a celebration of the art of oral storytelling, and aims to reignite the passion for this tradition in the old and the young.
Last week at Malet Lambert, students were given the opportunity to listen to stories - some new, some old favourites - in a variety of settings.
Short stories were read out in registration, Reading Corner became a hive of activity at lunch where staff read stories to anyone who’d like to listen, and students were given the chance to enter a story writing competition.
English teacher Mr Owen, who organised the school’s activities for National Storytelling Week, feels the week was huge success and was glad to contribute to national celebrations of the event.
He said, “Overall, it was a fantastic week. Many tutors were asking for more stories as their pupils were enjoying listening to them so much.
"In addition to this, students came along to the Reading Corner and tackled difficult noise levels to listen to other subject teachers read to them.
“Lots of students were inspired to come along to Creative Writing club and enter the BBC 500 Word Short Story competition - hopefully some of our students’ creations will be shortlisted!
“Hopefully, reading and literacy will have much more of a presence around the whole school from now on."