A GROUP of budding young writers got the chance to enjoy an eye-opening afternoon with a local author.

The youngsters, all students at the Wey Valley School in Weymouth, spent an afternoon with author Kate Kelly.

It was a chance for the students to bounce ideas of Kate and learn more about her work.

She has written all her life and has had a number of science fiction short stories published in various magazines and anthologies.

Red Rock, a fiction thriller, is her first novel.

Kate studied geology and oceanography at university and now works as a marine scientist.

Her interest in these subjects has now inspired many of the themes she explores in her writing.

Kate spent the afternoon working with fifteen keen creative writers from years seven and eight to generate ideas for their own stories.

She explained to the students the main ingredients of a successful novel and then inspired the students imaginations with a series of photographs.

Speaking about her time with the students, Kate said: “I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and I hope they finished off their pieces as they had some wonderful ideas.”

Kathy O’Borne, English teacher at Wey Valley added, ‘The students really enjoyed the freedom to bounce ideas off each other and Kate was impressed by their responses’.

Ms O’Borne will be judging the completed stories at the school’s writing club.

She also thanked Kate for inspiring the students and commended the group on their ideas and excellent writing pieces.

Kate was born in Scotland but grew up in rural Devon.

As well as Red Rock, Kate has also had a collection of her short stories published.

The English department at Wey Valley School works towards developing students’ subject knowledge and enhancing specific skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening.

There are many opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities including reading groups and also opportunities to enter national competitions including the Times Spelling Bee and the Mencap Spellathon.

The department also runs regular theatre trips to see English in action and see works they have been studying performed on the stage.