World Book Day brought stories to life across Prior’s Court, with activities taking place across our Track, the Main School building, the Main Gym, the Potting Shed and the Piper Arts Centre. Each space offered something different, giving the autistic young people with complex needs we support the opportunity to explore books through creativity, play and sensory experiences.

Many of the activities were inspired by well-known children’s stories. In one area, young people stepped into the world of The Tiger Who Came to Tea with jam sandwiches and drinks, recreating the famous tea time scene. 

Stories included Room on the Broom, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Jack and the Beanstalk, Enormous Turnip and The World's Best Ice Cream. The main gym was set up with obstacles for going over, under and through, for We're Going on a Bear Hunt. We even had a Where's Wally? orienteering activity on the Track where our young people had to find the letters on Wally to spell "World Book Day". 

In the Piper Arts Centre, the imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland offered a multi-sensory immersive experience. Young people and staff were able to explore and play in different areas such as, the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and its garden with wonderful creatures; props to explore the concept of 'big and small', the colourful charms of the Cheshire Cat through lights, fibre optics and materials, and watch a projection of the ballet of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. There was also an opportunity to try on costumes from classic fairytales such as The Three Litte Pigs and The Wizard of Oz.  

The celebrations extended beyond classrooms. Houses across the school embraced the theme with their own fancy dress. Summerhill House stepped into the story of Oliver Twist, while Millington House transformed into the spotted world of 101 Dalmatians.

Lucy, our Literacy Lead, and Tanya, our Performing Arts Co-Lead, said: "A big thank you goes to the staff for all their hard work in making the day so special and fun for our young people. It was a joy to see the school embrace this event, as celebrating the day makes books exciting and fun. Activities like dressing up as characters, participating in various activities that explore a variety of stories supports our young people to experience and explore stories and develop a love of reading. "

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