Dahl Day delights young and old at Wheatfield and Windmill Primary Schools

​​The enduring power of Roald Dahl’s grip on the imagination of children and adults was demonstrated at Wheatfield and Windmill Primary Schools last week as youngsters – and the not so young – took part in a day of activities to mark the centenary of the author’s birth.

Even though he died 26 years ago, Dahl, whose books include the BFG, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Twits, remains as popular as ever with young fans, so his anniversary was the perfect opportunity for schools to make the most of their natural enthusiasm and channel it into a day of learning and fun.

Pupils and teachers at the schools in Winnersh and Wokingham – both newly set-up in recent years by the GLF Schools multi-academy chain, which runs establishments across the south-east of England – took part in a costume parade featuring favourite characters from Dahl’s books.

Notable outfits included numerous Matildas, several Fantastic Mr Foxes and even one child dressed as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character Violet Beauregarde - after she has met her fate of being transformed into a giant blueberry.

“Roald Dahl’s works are an absolute to teachers, pupils and parents,” said Wheatfield assistant head Tamara Brown. 

“They continue to delight and inspire children’s imaginations, so they’re the perfect teaching tool. We made all kinds of activities out of the books, reading them to the children, then getting them to write their own stories and poems after listening to his words. He thoroughly deserves to have his centenary marked like this, and I’m sure his works will still prove just as popular in another one hundred years’ time.”