11 March 2026
Miss Lucy Cox, Librarian
Award‑winning author of children’s and young adult fiction Rachel Delahaye gave an inspiring talk and led writing workshops at Woldingham to mark World Book Day in early March.
Rachel, whose novels include Splinters, Electric Life, Surge and Day of the Whale, is a writer of multiple genres, exploring human nature in connection with environment, family and friendships. Speaking to students in Years 7 and 8, as well as guests from Oxted School, Rachel shared her personal, passionate, and at times turbulent, relationship with books, as well as talking about the many benefits of reading. She encouraged students to cram in as many life experiences as possible through identifying with the characters they encounter and told them that, when reading for pleasure, they shouldn’t be afraid to stop reading a book they’re not enjoying and choose something else that interests them more.
After the talk, Rachel led a series of writing workshops, teaching character-building to younger students and working with Year 9 on dystopian fiction. She also signed books for enthusiastic students at lunchtime in the library and wrote a poem about her visit, which you can read below.
Woldingham is also supporting the National Year of Reading, a UK campaign launched by the National Literacy Trust to encourage people to make reading a regular part of their lives. In February, a team of students took part in National Reading Champions Quiz, and girls in our Southern Schools Book Award group attended the award presentation ceremony, where they met the authors of the shortlisted books they had read, including A Connors and the winner Scarlett Dunmore, as well as illustrator and former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell OBE.
Other library initiatives this year include book swaps and our regular book clubs for staff and students - and we are already looking forward to celebrating National Poetry Day in October.
Rachel Delahaye’s poem about her visit to Woldingham
Meeting librarians
And taking cute selfies,
Looking at libraries
And browsing the shelfies,
Talking to students
Until the bell rings,
These are my favourite
World Book Day things