More than 190 primary school children from seven local schools have helped to write a unique story book celebrating St John’s Foundation’s milestone 850th anniversary.
Images © St John’s Foundation
Profits from the book, titled ‘The Day the Alien Came’, will help to stock the libraries at these schools, which serve 40% of the region’s most under-served children.
With guidance from Bath-based children’s author Stewart Foster, children from St Martin’s Garden Primary School, St Michael’s Junior Church School, Twerton Infant School and Nursery, St Keyna Primary School, Roundhill Primary School, Castle Primary School, and St Mary’s Church of England Primary School used their imagination to create the story.
The adventure is brought to life with illustrations by Andrew Prescot.
The children created a story about an alien Jai, whose spaceship crash-lands in Bath with his ‘Grampy’.
Emerging from the wreckage of his ship, Jai is greeted by local children who take him on an extraordinary adventure, discovering the wonders of Earth and the magic of friendship.
The children featured within the pages are officially published authors with the book going on sale on 10th October on St John’s website, as well as in Bath book shops Mr B’s Emporium and The Oldfield Park Bookshop.
A copy will also go to the British Library so that the young authors’ work can be enjoyed for years to come.
Catharine Brown, CEO of St John’s Foundation, said: “We are delighted to celebrate our 850th anniversary this year and mark this occasion by creating something that positively impacts our community and leaves a legacy for the future.
“Every child contributed something unique, turning this story into a whirlwind of imagination.
“We’re so proud to share their work with the world and hope the children feel inspired to continue exploring the world through words.”
Once published, Stewart Foster will return to the schools for a launch event, where each child will receive a copy of the book.
Reflecting on the project, Stewart Foster said: “When St John’s asked me to be involved in this project, I had no idea what an amazing experience I was about to have with the children, and certainly no indication of the incredible work we would produce.
“The book is a result of my visits and guidance, but ultimately their hard work and imagination. There are lines that will make you laugh, poems that will make you cry, because when an alien lands its spaceship near your school, that’s the sort of emotions it can bring out.”
Since February 2020, St John’s Foundation has been working to lowering the educational attainment gap for Key Stage 2 children living in B&NES through its Best Start in Life initiative, formally known as the Foundation Fund.
St John’s is working to improve the outcomes for the region’s most under-served children and has a range of initiatives and partnerships in place to support in reading, writing and maths, in addition to emotional and behavioural guidance so that every child under 12 has the opportunity to grow up a healthy, happy and educated member of the community.
‘The Day the Alien Came’ will be available to buy for £8.99.
