Cornwall Dyslexia Service: Book Writing Project: Jane Trapmore (Dyslexia Adviser)
Background to Project: Cornwall Dyslexia Service (Jane Trapmore) ran a pilot book writing project in 2011
with a year 5 pupils who was a bit disengaged from literacy. He did not enjoy reading (or writing), wanting
to read books about farming, as part of the work with Andrew, it was suggested he might write his own
book on farming-an area of interest for him as he lived on the farm and wanted to read books on this topic.
The first book was supported by Dyslexia Adviser, teachers and parents at school. The outcome was 750
books printed, sold and distributed around Cornwall, England and beyond, making a difference to the pupil
who became an author with a’ bit of Andy Warhol fame’ ,as well as showing other young people what you
can do, and being a good resource to work with other young people in Cornwall in a similar way.
Subsequently 6 books to the series; farming, farm machinery, steam engines, St Breward, mining –all
year5&6 boys- and the last book printed this July, written by a year6 pupil, Ava; a book of poetry and
fiction writing that included collaborative work with the whole class.
How does it work Most of the children who have been involved in the book writing project have been
known to the Dyslexia Service, as children who have been identified as having some literacy/ dyslexic
difficulties, but who have shown an interest in writing their own books. This work has been supported
through the input of staff at school and also the parents have played a part in the projects. Books have
taken between 3 months to 1 year to complete and the content, although following a series pattern, has
been driven by the decisions of the pupil and their interest and ideas. The final draft is proof read and sent
to Cornwall Council design and print team, so this has been a Cornwall project.
The school organise the book launch and support and media coverage ranges from school and local based
interest to BBC spotlight ITV/ Radio Cornwall/ local newspaper articles and then coverage and interest
further afield.
Books are printed (500) and are then sold for £5. Cornwall Library Service has also always bought some
books for their service –general library, children’s service and the education boxes…
National publishers have also been interested in the idea, as have other education authorities. Inspire
curriculum are also looking into putting a link on their Inspire curriculum
Impact on many levels
Individual: Personally, the difference to qualitative/ quantitative data has been positive for all children;
confidence as a learner, willingness to have a go, improved literacy skills, interest and motivation,
organisation, peer confidence, their status in a class changes
One mum described her daughter as ‘changing from a chrysalis to a butterfly’ as a result of this project
For others Good role model: to other children who might struggle, the message is you can do rather than
you cannot, other children can replicate the model.
Schools can use the text book as a teaching tool e.g. about farming or as guided reading poetry text book
Within Cornwall good set of books for all children to access
For Cornwall Beyond Cornwall: we are the first (only)authority to have done a project in this way- children
and young people who might not have been selected to write their own books children who have some
difficulties with recording but who know much on their area of interest have become the authors of their
own books
What next?
Book 7 is underway
Dyslexia SpLD Trust have publicised the book project
Inspire curriculum to put a link to the books available to schools
National interest from publishers
For more information :
dyslexia@cornwall.gov.uk or Jane Trapmore 01579 341268
Press release for Cornwall Dyslexia Service: Book Writing Project July 2014
Book Number Six published by young Cornish author mug of
Open the
or, step into my world, explore my
imagination and be inspired.
On Friday 18th July at 2.30pm, Ava Munro, a talented Year 6 pupil at St Nicolas’ School, Down Derry, will be
launching her poetry book at a special book launch event which will then be followed by the school fair.
As part of the Cornwall Dyslexia Service Book Writing Project, Ava is the 6th pupil to become a published
author, following in the footsteps of five other young writers, who have all experienced some literacy or
dyslexic difficulties and who have had the opportunity to write their own books in this way.
For Ava this book has enabled her to share her love of words “It was so much fun writing this book because
there were no boundaries. I enjoyed working with my class and being able to choose what went in the book.
I chose poetry and creative writing because I LOVE words. I love writing poetry because I don't have to
think about the rules because there are no rules. Before knowing I was dyslexic I had a hard time doing
literacy and did not feel equal. I don't feel like that anymore.”
She has worked incredibly hard on this project, both with the poetry and also with the ideas and designs to
accompany her written work. In fact, the whole class has become involved in this book project,
contributing to one of the pieces of work, where they chose their best bits from their own writing which
was then woven into a story by Ava, the whole class then created a patchwork of art to accompany the
story-it’s all in the book!
Cath Hayes, Ava’s class teacher explained how this project has had an impact on Ava’s learning. “The book
project has done wonders for her in many ways - she has become more confident in her abilities as an
author which is great but also she has had to organise herself by gathering the poems, take responsibility
for getting the photos together, delegate jobs to her classmates and lead them in the project. We have
seen their respect and admiration for Ava increase too which has been fantastic for helping her feel like a
leader not just part of the crowd.”
This book is a little different from the other books in the series, as Ava is the first girl to be involved and the
book ‘A mug of imagination’ is a collection of poetry and other fictional writing demonstrating her love of
words.
Ava’s mum explained “Writing this book has been a fantastic experience for Ava and her school. Ava has
crawled out of her small tight chrysalis and spread her wings. It is a delight to see and I cannot thank the
School and the Cornwall Dyslexia Service enough for this opportunity…Ava has had a lot of fun writing
this book of poetry. She has loved sharing the journey with her teachers, her classmates and the school. Most
importantly Ava has enjoyed being able to share her love of poetry and words with all of you”
Jane Trapmore, Dyslexia Adviser for Cornwall reflected “ Every pupil involved in writing their own book
have brought many rewards, in particular watching a young person grow in confidence and stature as a
learner, and this project has been no exception. It has been a pleasure to work with Ava and her teachers at
school.”
500 books have been printed and will be available for sale on the day at £5 each and afterwards from
secretary@st-nicolas.cornwall.sch.uk or dyslexia@cornwall.gov.uk
Book
School
St Neot
July 2011
Details
Year 5 pupil
Andrew
Rowe
Veryan School
Year 5 pupil
Toby
Berridge
March 2012
Impact
Level 3to 4 in Year 6 SATs
Level 5 in maths AR “ I could do it !”
Andrew chose to buy books with some
money he was given – first time he had
chosen to buy books
Increased confidence as a learner
TV coverage, radio newspaper National
farmers magazine
TB when describing himself to new
teacher “I am an author”
Created an interest and motivation in
literacy –made a difference to his time
in school
TV radio Cornish mutual sponsorship
Blackwater
School
October
2012
Year 5 pupil
Jake Crocker
Able to use this tool to demonstrate
his knowledge in all things to do with
steam engines
Increase in confidence
Spent some time at stream rally days
collecting info and pictures for his book
St Breward
School
Year 6 pupil
Dylan
Masters
Confidence in himself as a learner. Last
pieces of work for book, Dylan sat at
computer for an hour and wrote
(something his mum had never seen
him do before )
Shared another book signing event
with another local author!
Year 6 pupil
Oliver Marks
Confidence in himself and within his
peer group improved. He led and read
from his book on his book launch daymum and dad never thought he would
be able to do it (but he did!)
World heritage site gave opportunity
to research with their team and
sponsored the book
Year 6 pupil
Ava Munro
Level 4/5 for literacy with appropriate
support from schools and through
writing this book. Changed Ava’s view
of herself and f that of her classmates
Mum said ‘ changed from a chrysalis
to a butterfly through the books
writing experience ‘
July 2013
Delaware
school
July 2013
St Nicolas’
School
July 2014