CHILDREN’S authors David and Helen Orme spent two days at Southwell Primary School on Portland, explaining to pupils and staff the disciplines required to become an author. With the children, Helen concentrated on non-fiction, stressing the importance of research for non-fiction text.

David took them into fiction land and explained to them that all tales have a one story structure revolving around the same plot whether that should be Greek Mythology or Harry Potter.

The staff had much more detailed workshops with a strong concentration by David on teaching poetry.

Hilary Claridge, the school’s literary co-ordinator said: “The two days were excellent, greatly enjoyed by the staff and even our youngest pupils.

“For the staff, the poetry was particularly beneficial as David taught us several methods of teaching the subject.”