Author John Siddique inspired the pupils at Pleckgate High School as he helped them celebrate World Book Day.
John, who lives in Hebden Bridge, has had seven books published, mostly for adults, but has a children’s book of poems entitled ‘Don’t Wear It On Your Head, Don’t Stick It Down Your Pants’, which was short-listed for a national award.
“It’s my second visit to Pleckgate and I love coming here,” said John. “I want pupils to enjoy art and literature, I want to encourage them to be creative and not to think writing is boring and school is just about learning information, it’s about developing individuals too.”
John held a creative writing workshop where he got pupils to make up the biggest lies they could to encourage them to use their imagination and he also oversaw activities such as designing bookmarks.
“John is my hero,” said excited Year Nine pupil Harris Sajid. “I read his poetry book when I was younger and it made me laugh out loud. I love his sense of humour.
“I have written poetry since I was six years old and I have a poem for John to look at. To get the chance to meet him is a big honour.”
Year Seven pupil Aimen Zubain, who is a school librarian, said: “John helped to show that you can write whatever you feel like and your opinion is important.”
