Colfox was delighted to welcome Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, Classicist Daisy Dunn, Poet Gill Barr, the public and primary schools to Colfox, as part of the Bridport Literary Festival.

Students from Bridport Primary School, Burton Bradstock and St Mary’s joined Year 7 Colfox students to hear a brilliant and engaging talk by outgoing Children’s Laureate Mr Coelho. The invited schools are all part of the growing Initio Learning Trust, which the Sir John Colfox Academy is proud to be a part of.

Students got the opportunity to hear Mr Coelho read his work ‘Relic Hamilton and the Genie Hunter’ and ask him lots of questions!

Daisy in Year 7 said, “His book is all about genies and genie hunters. The way he spoke about it made me want to read it. It sounded exciting and it was interesting to hear how he became a writer.”

The public joined Colfox’s Ancient History, Ancient Greek and Latin students for a talk by Classicist and acclaimed author Daisy Dunn, who gave a fascinating talk about her new book ‘The Missing Thread, a New History of the Ancient World Through the Women Who Shaped it’.

Daisy Dunn said: “I so enjoyed speaking at the Sir John Colfox Academy, as part of the Bridport Literary Festival, it is brilliant news that the academy has launched a Classics Hub so pupils have the chance to learn Greek, Latin and Ancient History.”

The Classics Hub at the Sir John Colfox Academy was launched last year in response to students' growing interest in studying the ancient world.

Millie in Year 10, said: "I really enjoyed the lecture, it was interesting to hear more about the lives of women in the ancient world. We got to ask Daisy questions and chat to her at the end, it was fascinating to hear about her book.”

Poet, tutor and former Colfox English teacher Gill Barr held a brilliant poetry workshop for students interested in becoming writers. Gill said: “The students were a delight, friendly, engaged and with capacious imaginations!”

Adam Teasdale, Head of Sixth Form, who introduced the authors, said: “It was great to welcome Bridport Literary Festival to Colfox once again, our students enjoyed the talks - which were fascinating - and loved meeting Joseph Coelho and Daisy Dunn. Our thanks to both of them. We were delighted to welcome local primary schools, who are also part of Initio, our growing learning trust.”

Thank you also to Joanna Jacobson, Festival Administrator, for helping to bring the Literary Festival to Colfox on Thursday and Friday (7-8 Nov) and to Bridport Book Shop who organised the book signings.