A WELL-known children’s author recently visited pupils at Castle School. 

Frank Cottrell-Boyce visited more than 200 students from year seven at the Thornbury secondary on Monday, March 4.

Also in attendance were classes from neighbouring primary schools St Mary’s and Manorbrook.

Mr Cottrell-Boyce read aloud from his new book, Wonder Brothers, performed magic tricks, answered questions from the audience and later also signed books. 

Librarian Cindy Titcomb said: “This was a wonderful event, and a great way to launch the series of events we held for World Book Day 2024. 

“We are really proud to see our students engage with fiction like this, and this represents a real trend where we’re seeing more and more students engaging and enjoying reading stories. 

“We’re also grateful to Matt Taylor at Chepstow Books, who helps us to organise these visits.”

Mr Cotterell-Boyce is also a long established screenwriter and has worked on Coronation Street and Brookside. 

He wrote the script for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and the Platinum Jubilee sketch in which the late Queen had afternoon tea with Paddington Bear. 

Gazette Series: Castle School

Gazette Series: Castle School

Gazette Series: Castle School

Gazette Series: Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear having cream tea at Buckingham Palace as part of the sketch filmed for the Platinum JubileeQueen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear having cream tea at Buckingham Palace as part of the sketch filmed for the Platinum Jubilee (Image: Buckingham Palace/ Studio Canal / BBC Studios)