AN award-winning author has inspired pupils during a visit to a secondary school in St Austell

Anthony McGowan delivered an assembly at Penrice Academy to the whole of Year 8 before spending the rest of the day leading workshops with selected students in Years 7 to 10.

A school spokesperson said: “Each group of students was inspired by Mr McGowan’s storytelling which was followed by detailed question and answers sessions as the famous writer explained his journey to becoming a published and established author.

“Mr McGowan won the annual Carnegie Medal in 2020 for writing Lark, a book that is now part of the Year 8 curriculum at Penrice during tutor time reading sessions. Set up in 1936, the annual Carnegie Medal is the UK’s oldest and most prestigious book award for children’s writing.”

Reflecting on the visit, Alison Hague, reading champion at Penrice, said: “Anthony McGowan has won so many awards for his books that we were thrilled when he agreed to visit our school.

“His book, Lark, is read in Year 8 and revolves around two boys of similar age to our students. He brought to life the inspiration for this book and had us all gripped with tales of his own schoolboy experiences in 1970s Leeds.

“The experience encouraged students to see the magic of storytelling in a new light and allowed them to connect with the creative process.

“I’d like to thank Anthony for helping to inspire the next generation of readers and writers in such an entertaining way.”

Mr McGowan thanked the school for inviting him, saying: “It has been a delight, from beginning to end.”

Harry, a Year 9 student, said: “I enjoyed the storytelling element because I had liked reading Lark last year.”

Isabel in Year 10 said: “His stories about what inspired him were gripping and also quite shocking.”