PUPILS in Portland got to draw with illustrator Sir Quentin Blake to celebrate fifty whipple-scrumptious years of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The pupils from the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy took part in a special online experience in which they joined former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, and other schools from across the country, for a live event from the Theatre Royal in London where the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical is staged.

Year 3 pupil Amelie Hifcockf said: “It was amazing! We had a drawing lesson from Sir Quentin Blake, who showed us how to draw Mr. Willy Wonka.”

Academy Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, Gary Spracklen said: “It was fantastic to see learners from a variety of ages engage with such an exciting live event in crystal clear high definition video.

“This sort of event would be the thing of dreams only a few years ago, yet here today you can see how this 21st century approach is leading to astonishing engagement and enjoyment in learning.

“It was great to see the children asking questions and learning from some of the country’s leading figures in children’s literature.”

As well as drawing with Sir Quentin Blake the pupils also got to put their questions about Roald Dahl to the author of Fantastic Mr Dahl, and the former children’s laureate, Michael Rosen.

Melissa Heppell, who teaches years two and three at the academy, said: “The children have had a fantastic afternoon. They have learnt how to make special blueberry donuts as part of a Violet Beauregard-inspired live cooking session.

“I think we need to apologise in advance to parents and carers if all the children come home wanting to ‘experiment’ in the kitchen!”