Issue 1128: 3rd July 2026

Freadom Fighters with Simon James Green

Simon began by speaking to our Year 10 and Year 12 students as part of his Freadom Fighters talk, exploring the issues of book bans and censorship in the modern world. He shared his own experience of having one of his school visits cancelled four years ago, giving students a fascinating insight into the realities of censorship. Many were surprised by the media headlines and public comments Simon received at the time.

He also spoke about his novel A Boy Like Me and reflected on his experiences of growing up as a gay teenager during the era of Section 28. His honest and moving account was balanced with plenty of humour and entertaining anecdotes, making for a powerful and memorable session that was greatly appreciated by both students and staff.

Simon then spent time with all of Year 7, sharing his journey to becoming an author, explaining how he works with illustrators, and discussing the importance of comedy in children’s literature. His lively presentation, full of audience participation, visual storytelling and humour, captivated students throughout.

The day concluded with a comedy writing workshop in the Library for a Year 7 English class. Students enthusiastically created a range of hilarious and unfortunate situations for their characters, demonstrating fantastic creativity and imagination.

Students also had the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Simon’s books. We would like to thank Waterstones Southend for supplying the books at a discounted price and helping to make this special opportunity possible.

he impact following a visit from Simon James Green , early the next morning in the (very hot!) Library! We had an amazing day with Simon on Wednesday.

Jacob’s Karate Competition

Jacob won bronze, silver and gold at the British Open Karate Championships.
Congratulations Jacob