William Hussey

EVENT 1: THE ‘WHAT IF…?’ WRITING WORKSHOP

This exciting workshop takes children on an interactive journey through the writing process. With a few tips of the trade, pupils come up with their own idea for a story, which we then develop into a narrative plot driven by a strong main character. In groups, we discuss how to break the tyranny of the blank page, how to use evocative description and how to build a plot. At the end of a PowerPoint presentation and a batch of fun exercises, the class will have collaborated on a plan for a full story, and should be ready to start writing!

EVENT 2: THE GOTHIC MASTERCLASS

A fun and educational exploration of the Gothic genre, from its origins and its place in literature to core texts and the great writers. After an overview of the genre, complete with thrilling PowerPoint presentation and a reading from my own gothic novel Haunted, pupils will participate in the Dracula vs Van Helsing Quiz. With appropriate props and costume, children will be selected from the audience to battle it out, answering entertaining questions about the presentation, thereby reinforcing the lessons of the event.

This event is suitable for all students studying English, and has been found to be particularly useful for those in Year 9 who are beginning to study elements of Gothic literature. More advanced versions of the workshop are available for GCSE and A Level students.

EVENT 3: THE WITCHFINDER EXPERIENCE

Designed for assembly-size audiences, this Horrible Histories-style event includes a memorable reading from the Witchfinder books and an introduction to the life of a writer. We then move on to a fully interactive recreation of a 17th Century Witch Trial in which students play major roles. Funny and informative, the session provides a great introduction to Civil War history and, in the final moments, draws parallels with the modern issue of bullying. It also provides rich material for English and creative writing classes. The session concludes with a Q&A.

EVENT 4: AN EVENING OF GHOST STORIES

Open to all years, this after-school event has been designed in collaboration with several teachers to achieve the important goal of involving parents more in school life. Based on a flexible format, ‘An Evening of Ghost Stories’ includes three dramatic readings from classic tales, as well as stories from my own pen. This exciting family event helps to bring parents into school on an informal basis. It then provides a rare face-to-face opportunity for staff to inform parents of other exciting events in the school year, to run charity raffles, to show off pupils’ work (including students’ own dramatic readings and drama projects), and to provide a relaxed environment in which parents, teachers and pupils can interact. (NB suitable for Years 7 and over).

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