WOODFORD BRIDGE: Children get help to prepare for secondary school (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WOODFORD BRIDGE: Children get help to prepare for secondary school

12:32pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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THE BIG step up from primary to secondary school should become a little less daunting for Redbridge youngsters when they get some helpful advice from a top author.

Pupils from primaries across the borough will gather for a special 'transitional' event at Woodbridge High in Woodford Bridge next month - where they will get some handy survival tips and learn more about modern literature from black British writer Alex Wheatle MBE.

Mr Wheatle - who received the London Arts Board New Writers Award for his novel, East of Acre Lane - performs 'inspirational' speeches at schools colleges, universities, libraries and prisons across London.

The author's early books were based on his experiences as a teenager growing up in Brixton and his time in social services care.

The transition event, which is funded by the Arts Council and the Children's Discovery Centre, will be held at the school, in St Barnabas Road, on Friday March 19 from 9.30am to 1.00pm.

Woodbridge High teacher Jeremy Clifton said: "It is aimed at enthusing young people about literacy and the move to secondary school.

"An author will (also) visit each primary school to do workshops and lively presentations.

"The event at Woodbridge brings all the schools together.

"We are really keen to promote smooth transition from primary to secondary and ensure that pupils have an enthusiasm for literacy."