There are never two days the same in teaching - that is part of what makes it such a wonderful profession. This week we have been visited by BBC Radio Cumbria and are looking forward to welcoming ITV News to school later this week to reflect our innovative project with The Outward Bound Trust as part of our post-COVID recovery curriculum. In the midst of this media furore we have also been privy to a very special secret. 

The reason for all the cloak and dagger? Appleby is now recognised as an Honorary Quidditch Town in celebration of the new book, Quidditch Through The Ages Illustrated Edition. We were first contacted by the mayor and representatives of Bloomsbury Publishing about ten days ago and informed of plans to present the Mayor of Appleby, Councillor Gareth Hayes and two pupils from Appleby Primary School, with a decorative banner featuring gold Quidditch hoops celebrating the town’s fictitious Quidditch team, Appleby Arrows. This is to mark the release of Quidditch Through The Ages Illustrated Edition, written by J.K  Rowling and illustrated by Emily Gravett.

Amidst plans to host the presentation early in the morning and to ensure that safe social distancing practices could be maintained and that the presentation could take place in line with current Government guidelines, school was sworn to secrecy (you know what Harry Potter fans can be like!). School immediately set to work identifying to 'super fans' of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world - no easy task with so many of our children enjoying the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione. Harry Potter quizzes and discussions with eager volunteers led to a short list and Paul and Jane were the lucky pair to have their names drawn from the sorting hat.

Early this morning, with a crisp, autumn freshness in the air, the excited pair met with Councillor Gareth Hayes, Mayor of Appleby, to be presented with the town's honorary quidditch banner in front of the assembled press. After photographs and broomstick lessons, Paul and Jane were thrilled to be interviewed alongside Councillor Hayes for the BBC Radio Cumbria Breakfast Show. Avid readers, both children were a credit to both Appleby Primary School and the town of Appleby as they talked with passion and pleasure about their love of J.K.Rowling's world of Harry Potter and came to terms with their new-found fame. 

To top-off an exciting morning (all before the school doors had even opened) Jane and Paul were presented with their very own copies of the book. Plans are now afoot in school to mark and celebrate Appleby's status as "Honorary Quidditch Town" and our pride to be: "Home of the Appleby Arrows".