Alex Wheatle 

On Wednesday, 13th October, pupils and staff at Chiltern Academy were enthralled and captivated by the riveting stories and experiences of award-winning author Alex Wheatle MBE.

Alex shared with the audience his childhood experiences, troubled time in Brixton and the dramatic transformation of his life when he went to prison and met his mentor Simeon, who encouraged him to read more to improve his life. His presentation focused on the power of reading and books. These were his coping mechanisms in escaping traumatic and sometimes brutal situations.

At the end of his impactful talk, pupils were allowed to ask questions to learn more about his life. Those eager to speak to him at the end gave moving remarks on how they were motivated by his presentation. “Having Alex Wheatle at school was an important experience for me and the rest of the pupils. He has inspired me to read more, and I am excited to read his new book ‘Cane Warriors.” - Anisa Year 8

It was a massive success in promoting books and reading- there was a considerable increase in the loan of all his titles.