Roald Dahl Day
On Friday, 12th September, schools across the MAT came together to celebrate Roald Dahl and his wonderful literary creations. Each school marked the occasion in its own unique way.
At Hawthorns School, learners immersed themselves in Roald Dahl Day through a variety of creative activities. Sycamore, Blossom, and Maple classes delved into Roald Dahl’s life, creating fact files, exploring the new words he invented, and learning about his many books.
Ash and Oak classes enjoyed dressing up as characters from Dahl’s stories, while children in Woodlands and Meadows took part in a Friday film afternoon, watching adaptations such as The Enormous Crocodile, The BFG, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the school ‘cinema’ or in their classrooms.
Beech, Holly, Fir, and Olive classes coloured pictures of Dahl’s characters to decorate the library areas, adding inspiring Roald Dahl quotes to the displays. Pine Class went on a ‘James and the Giant Peach’ minibeast hunt in the forest, drawing their discoveries into “peaches” and enjoying peaches as a snack. Meanwhile, Blossom and Jasmine classes made dream jars in Science, and Maple class designed their own chocolate bars in Literacy.
Hawthorns - Roald Dahl Day 2025
Heywood Academy saw the 7A class fully embrace the magic of Roald Dahl with a day filled with whimsical, cross-curricular activities. In Geography, students mapped the journey of ‘James and the Giant Peach’, while in Science, they recreated the famous “pigtail swing” scene from Matilda.
English lessons inspired the class to write imaginative poems using Dahl’s playful language, and students also measured liquids into beakers, blending numeracy with the enchanting world of Dahl. In Food Technology, students invented fantastical recipes such as pink chips and dragon soup. The day was filled with learning, laughter, and a celebration of reading and creativity.
Heywood Academy - Roald Dahl Day
At Samuel Laycock School, pupils celebrated Roald Dahl Day in a variety of engaging ways. The day began with pupils sharing inspirational quotes from Dahl’s novels during registration, including “If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely” from ‘The Twits’. Some pupils participated in a scavenger hunt, searching for book covers to reveal the imaginary invention, ‘The Snozzcumber’.
Before their Talk for Writing lessons, pupils received writing tips from Dahl himself, such as “watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.” Other pupils explored the real-life inspirations behind The Witches, learning about historical witch trials—perfect preparation for the upcoming spooky season.
At New Bridge School, Pathways marked Roald Dahl Day with creativity and imagination. The day began with students reading extracts from some of Dahl’s most beloved stories, including ‘Matilda’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Students then created colourful fact sheets about Dahl’s life and works. The highlight of the day was a “Design a Chocolate” competition, where every student invented their own imaginative confectionery. The entries were so creative that choosing a winner was a real challenge, and everyone who took part was congratulated for their efforts.
New Bridge School - Roald Dahl Day
Hollinwood Academy celebrated Roald Dahl Day as a wonderful occasion, with students embracing the creativity and imagination of the beloved author. Throughout the day, students engaged in a range of activities inspired by Dahl’s stories, their faces lighting up as they explored his quirky books. The school also unveiled its newly designed library, featuring a vibrant mural of Roald Dahl’s cherished characters, creating a warm and inviting space for reading. The celebrations highlighted the collective effort of the school community and promoted reading for pleasure during the first week back after the holidays.
Hollinwood Academy - Roald Dahl Day
At Thomas Ashton School, Roald Dahl Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and imagination. Each class participated in a whole-school Kahoot quiz, identifying book characters from Matilda to Veruca Salt, which engaged everyone and set a positive tone for the day. Many pupils joined in treasure hunts, searching for hidden letters to solve an anagram—‘Snozzcumber’—inspired by Dahl’s inventive language.
Some classes enjoyed Roald Dahl-themed food, including Matilda’s pancakes, George’s Marvellous Medicine milkshakes, James’ giant peaches, Bruce Bogtrotter’s cake, and even Snozzcumber. Pupils also created their own Wonka Bars with imaginative fillings, and produced Roald Dahl character-themed artwork, such as Mr Fox masks and painted peaches. It was a joyful day that inspired creativity and a love of reading.
Thomas Ashton - Roald Dahl Day
The Springboard Project focused their celebrations on ‘The Witches’, a story that continues to capture imaginations. Students explored extracts from the novel, discussing Dahl’s vivid descriptions and how he uses language to create both fear and fascination. This led to thoughtful discussions about stereotypes around witches and how these ideas have changed over time. Students also researched real witch trials from history, learning how accusations of witchcraft often reflected deeper societal issues such as fear, superstition, and prejudice.
Springboard Project - Roald Dahl Day
Across all schools, Roald Dahl Day was a fantastic celebration of literature, creativity, and the joy of reading.
