FORMER Children's Laureate Michael Rosen took to the stage of the King's Hall for his Ilkley Grammar School-sponsored event last Thursday (October 16).

Renowned for his work as a poet, performer, broadcaster and scriptwriter, one of the best-known figures in the children’s book world entertained the crowd with his trials as a parent and his experiences of schooling today.

His anecdotes supported his view that children aren’t ‘round pegs to be pushed into square holes’, and his overwhelming belief that learning doesn’t begin and end in classroom made for an entertaining night. This was Ilkley Grammar School’s second year of formal involvement with the Literature Festival which has included other events in school. The school has enjoyed visits from other authors and poets attending the Festival, who have either presented to the students or held workshops.

They have welcomed ex SAS serviceman and now author Chris Ryan, performance poet Nick Makoha, as well as the festival’s Marketing Officer, Alex Corwin.

Headteacher Helen Williams was thrilled to be involved with the Festival.

She said: "We are so lucky to have such a tremendous literary event on our doorstep and are particularly pleased to have welcomed festival speakers and guests to our school. The students are always interested in visiting authors and hopefully some of them have been inspired to put pen to themselves."