Schools Week

The Largest Schools Outreach Programme in the UK

Our aim is to delight and inspire the readers and writers of the future.

Our five day Schools Week offers talks and workshops to young people from preschool to Sixth Form with visits from acclaimed authors and illustrators. Members of the Schools Team liaise with the schools and authors to ensure that everyone has the best possible experience.

In 2019 the School Week team arranged for 25 well-known children's authors to deliver 120 events to 50 schools, colleges and libraries across North Devon and Torridge. In total, more than 6,500 children benefitted.

This would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated team of volunteer stewards who drove the authors to far-flung venues. And, our thanks go to our sponsors - The Bideford Bridge Trust and local Rotary Clubs, who helped to make these exceptional events possible.

For information about the authors that have aready signed up for this year's Schools Week, please visit our Meet the Children's Authors page.

Patron

Tanya Landman

“It is a pleasure to be involved with the Appledore Book Festival’s Schools Outreach Programme. This week-long programme is helping to inspire the readers and writers of the future”

Tanya is a Carnegie Medal winner and author of more than forty books for children and young adults.

Quotes from Pupils

“I really love poetry now!”

“I’m going out to buy all Nick Toczek’s books.”

“I’m starting to write my own novel right now!”

Quotes from Authors

“The brilliance of Appledore Schools Week is that it always buzzes and crackles with enthusiasm.” John Townsend

“Appledore Book Festival is always a real treat. Students are engaged and excited, primed for a great author visit by librarians and teachers who want to make the most of your time.” Catherine Johnson

“The Appledore Schools Week is … brilliantly organised, featuring enthusiastic audiences at a wide range of lovely schools. And the author care is exceptional!” John Dougherty

Quotes from schools

“Thank you so much Appledore Book Festival for arranging this for our pupils – the children were inspired.”

“Such fun! The children were laughing and totally captivated by the storytelling”.

“Inspirational is the word I’d describe for this morning’s event. The pupils have a renewed energy to read”.

Author presenting to children in an assembly hall

Contact Form

If you are a school or college based in North Devon and Torridge and you would like to know more, or become involved, in our Schools Week, please use the enquiry form to contact us.