Tuesday 2 July 2013 Author Tom Palmer scored a winner with his individual blend of football and literacy when he met year 5 pupils from seven local schools during a visit to The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL). The ‘Fun with football and literacy’ session kicked off with a talk, quiz and penalty shootout game, before the pupils headed outside to hone their football skills on the sports pitches. Tom is the author of three fiction series for children: ‘Football Academy’, ‘Foul Play’ and ‘The Squad’, as well as a rugby story, ‘Scrum!’ and several books for adults. He chatted with the pupils about what they like to read and shared his top tips for writing success – choose a subject you are passionate about (eg football), read about things that interest you and be as honest as you can when you write. He hosted a quick-fire quiz about books and football, and each pupil who got a correct answer had a shot on goal in a penalty shootout against GSAL teacher Mrs Lindsey. Marcus Wardall, year 5 pupil at Yeadon Westfield Junior School, scored twice to take the trophy. He said: “It was amazing to win the shootout because I’m really a goalie! I like reading about the football matches and the players in Tom’s books – my favourite is ‘The Real Thing’ which taught me how to be a goalkeeper.” Tom said: “Although the session focuses on football and reading, I enjoy talking to children about everything that they like to read and I love to see them sharing their reading tips. Peer to peer recommendation is really important.” Lisa Piotrowicz, acting headteacher at Yeadon Westfield, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to work with other schools and meeting an author inspires children’s love of literature. The children have also loved using their football skills and learning new skills.” Schools attending were Yeadon Westfield Junior School, Otley Westgate Primary School, Allerton CE, Wigton Moor and Talbot Primary Schools in Leeds, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Pudsey and GSAL Junior School. General Primary News
