Paddington 2 and Johnny English actor Ben Miller captivates pupils at Torquay school
Ben Miller, known for roles in Paddington 2 and Johnny English, spoke to pupils from three schools about his own school days and the inspiration behind his children's books.
Actor and children’s author Ben Miller, known for roles in Paddington 2 and Johnny English, has captivated pupils from three schools during a visit to Warberry Church of England Academy in Torquay.
Year 5 and 6 pupils at Warberry were joined by children from Ellacombe C of E Academy and Ilsham C of E Academy, bringing together pupils from three Learning Academy Partnership schools.
Mr Miller spoke about his own school days and the interests and passions that helped shape his career. He gave the children an insight into his work in television and film before discussing the inspiration behind his children’s books, including his latest release, The Dog Who Saved Christmas.
Staff said the pupils were captivated, asking thoughtful questions and making the most of the chance to hear first-hand how imagination, creativity and perseverance play a part in both acting and writing.
Warberry headteacher Steve Bone said: “What a fantastic experience for the children, and a big thank you to Ben for taking the time to visit us. It was wonderful to see the children so enthralled. They listened really carefully and came up with some brilliant questions. Meeting an author and hearing about the ideas behind his books is a great way to bring reading to life and encourage children to explore their own imaginations.”
Reading for pleasure is an important part of the English curriculum at Warberry and other Learning Academy Partnership schools, where children are encouraged to enjoy books, explore a wide range of texts and develop their own voices as writers.
Tracey Cleverly, Trust Lead at the Learning Academy Partnership, said: “It was lovely to see children from Warberry, Ellacombe and Ilsham come together to share this experience. Bringing pupils from across our schools together gives them opportunities to learn from one another and enjoy experiences they might not otherwise have had. We hope the visit inspires them to keep reading, asking questions and creating stories of their own.”