REPTON PREP PUPILS CELEBRATE ROALD DAHL DAY WITH MAGIC AND IMAGINATION

From a world of pure imagination to the classroom, pupils stepped into the pages of their favourite books to celebrate one of their school’s most famous alumni.

Children at Repton Prep celebrated Roald Dahl Day by dressing up as some of the author’s most beloved characters. The acclaimed writer, who attended Repton School himself, remains one of the school’s most famous former pupils.

There were Roald Dahl-themed games throughout the day, including a Matilda-themed escape room in the library, which used books as clues, a Bogtrotter-style chocolate muffin challenge and even a game of ‘pin the ear on the BFG’.

There was even a pop-up version of Repton School’s tuck shop ‘The Grubber’ which is featured in ‘The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me’, serving up special treats in the school grounds for the day. The day was filled with fun, magic and imagination, just like the author’s books.

Six-year-old Amelia dressed up as the formidable Mrs Trunchbull from Matilda. She said: “I have really liked dressing up today and all the fun things we are doing at school. The chocolate muffins were really tasty, I could have eaten so many more. If I was the real headteacher, I would be locking all the naughty boys and girls in the chokey.”

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Repton Prep – the junior phase of Repton School – and to celebrate Roald Dahl Day, pupils were challenged to create a brand-new Dahl-inspired character in just 85 words.

The winning entries included Snarl Tooth, a terrifying hound monster from Georgina in Year 4 and The Spalder, a six-tentacled creature by Benjamin in Year 6.

Year 6 pupil, Jasmine, said: “My favourite Roald Dahl book is ‘James and the Magic Finger’. 
“I have loved his books since such a young age and still love them all now.  I am really proud to say I went to the same school as such a talented author.”

Roald Dahl has long been woven into school life at Repton Prep, but in the last year, pupils in Years 1 and 2 have also taken part in stand-alone verbal comprehension lessons exploring characters, themes and the joy of reading, using his books.

Mrs Vicky Harding, headteacher at Repton Prep, said: “The enduring popularity of Dahl's books makes him an inspirational figure and many of our children feel an enormous sense of pride when they tell people they attend the same school as such a celebrated author. Every pupil has embraced today with real enthusiasm, from the costumes to the activities and it has been a truly fitting celebration of a remarkable alumnus whose imagination continues to inspire generations.”