Warlingham School’s two top set classes of Year 9 English students listened to a talk and participated in a workshop run by award-winning author, Cliff McNish in June. Some of the students won the visit as a prize in a competition that was run by the Tandridge Education Partnership.

To celebrate Tandridge Literacy Week, the Tandridge Education Partnership (TEP) offered prizes of workshops by three well-known authors. To win a workshop for the school, students had to submit letters to the TEP. There were two ‘winning’ schools for each key stage. Year 9 Warlingham students won both of the prizes that were available for Key Stage 3/4 students for their letters; one came from each of the top two sets in English. One was written by Ross George and the other was a collective letter written by Nicole Nash, Paige Pickering, Grace Redington, Tasmin Wall and Alice Hughes.

In their letter, the girls wrote: “As a class we really enjoy reading your books and their imaginative story lines, and we really can’t put them down. It’s great how you have books for children and adults. The Doomspell Trilogy is a really great fantasy series, and is packed full of creativity. Breathe; The Hunting Ground and Savannah Grey are extremely scary and haunting yet full of suspense. All your books have been written amazingly and we really would recommend them to anybody.”

Mrs Ruth Holder, Head of English at Warlingham School, said: “I am really proud of the students that won the prize. Their letters were really heartfelt and they did really well to win not one, but both prizes in their category.”

Cliff gave a talk to all Year 9 students in the two top sets for English. He told the students that, contrary to belief, you have to work really hard to get into the writing industry. But he balanced that by telling them that despite the hard work required, it is very rewarding. He also stressed how important it is to enjoy what you do, even though regular income might not be guaranteed. And for those who suffer from ‘”writer’s block”, he urged them not to worry or try to think too hard as ideas would come in their own good time.

The students split into their classes, then participated in an hour-long workshop. During the workshop, Cliff explained to the students that there are actually only four basic stories in fiction that are endlessly told and retold and mixed together in various ways. All stories are a combination of these four so-called 'archetypes'. These four stories are: 'overcoming the monster', 'the dream come true', 'the loss of something important' and 'the journey'. In groups the students have to relate each concept to a favourite book.

Dan Lazenby and Yveline Callus-Pennec won autographed books for their excellent contribution to the discussions. Cliff also gave the students lots of useful tips on how to write great stories.

Mr Nick Bradwell, Headteacher of Warlingham School, said: “Cliff McNish’s visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all the students who were lucky enough to listen to his talk and participate in his workshop. There is no doubt that he will have helped all the students involved to take their creative writing skills to another level.”