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North-east school's to welcome author residency


By David Porter

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Two north-east schools are set to receive fully-funded author residencies this school year thanks to the Scottish Book Trust.

Kemnay and Ellon academies were announced amongst a list of ten schools in Scotland in the project which will also give professional writers the opportunity to build relationships with the school and work together on a creative project.

The Live Literature School Residencies Programme, now in its fifth year, is funded by the Walter Scott Giving Group and delivered by Scottish Book Trust.

Each school taking part in the programme will receive 12 fully-funded residency sessions carried out by an author from Scottish Book Trust’s author directory.

Ellon Academy will work with Catherine Deveney who runs a school media project for the National Union of Journalists, training both teachers and pupils to establish newspapers and magazines. Her work includes several published novels that focus on the psychology and dynamics of human relationships and include themes of love, violence, suffering, transgender identity, personal redemption, and salvation.

John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs who create works as Metaphrog.
John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs who create works as Metaphrog.

Kemnay Academy in Aberdeenshire, with Metaphrog

Metaphrog are award-winning graphic novelists Sandra Marrs and John Chalmers - multiple Eisner Awards nominees, winners of The Sunday Herald Scottish Culture Awards Best Visual Artist 2016, Excelsior Award Junior 2018, and SICBA Outstanding Achievement 2018.

Their events have proved popular with children and adults, and are interactive, fun and educational and provide access to literature and literacy and the topics covered extend across the curriculum.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It has been a difficult year for pupils, and we are pleased that we can offer these Live Literature School Residencies to bring the magic of an author visit into the classroom.

"We are grateful to our funders, the Walter Scott Giving Group and the Mohn Westlake Foundation for making these fully-funded residency programmes possible.”

The residencies will run across the 2020-21 school year and as well as an author residency, schools will receive a resources grant of £500.

Each school’s project will be showcased on Scottish Book Trust’s website, alongside suggested learning resources and helpful tips to make the most of the residency sessions.


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