Students at Exmouth Community College (ECC) experienced an inspiring and creative day of literary engagement when BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and Stonewall Book Award-winning author Dean Atta visited the school this term. The visit brought together Year 10 students alongside Year 12 and Year 13 English Literature and English Language students, offering them the opportunity to engage directly with one of the UK’s most celebrated contemporary writers.
The day began with a Sixth Form assembly, where Dean Atta spoke about his published works, including his acclaimed young adult novel in verse The Black Flamingo, as well as his upcoming publications. He also shared insights into his career as a writer for both literature and screen, encouraging students to consider the power of storytelling in shaping identity, voice, and understanding.
The visit continued in the library with an interactive creative writing workshop. Students explored language connections, free writing techniques, and verse structure, before producing their own original poems. Using literary techniques such as rhythm, rhetorical questions, and repetition, students developed creative responses that reflected confidence, imagination, and engagement.
Dean Atta spoke openly with students about writing as a means of exploring identity, including themes such as race, sexuality, and personal expression, as well as offering practical guidance on how to develop and share work within the publishing industry. The session created a lively and supportive atmosphere, with students demonstrating enthusiasm, creativity, and enjoyment throughout.
This visit strongly reflects the English curriculum at Exmouth Community College, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, which is designed to reflect the importance of English at both an educational and societal level. The curriculum aims to deliver a knowledge-rich, inclusive learning experience built around the key concepts of power and identity. With ambitious reading, writing, and oracy outcomes at its heart, the subject empowers students to become confident communicators, critical thinkers, and creative individuals.
Dean Atta is known for his powerful storytelling, which draws on his Greek Cypriot and Jamaican heritage and his queer identity. He is a patron of LGBT+ History Month and Chair of the Poetry and Spoken Word Group of the Society of Authors. His work spans young adult fiction, poetry, picture books, and screenwriting, with his debut adult novel Big Man due to be published in September 2026.
The event was supported by Exmouth Scholars and the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, and was widely praised for its impact in inspiring students and celebrating the transformative power of English.
Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College, said:
“This was a truly inspiring experience for our students. Dean Atta’s visit brought literature to life in a powerful and meaningful way. Our students were fully engaged throughout and produced some outstanding creative work. Opportunities like this are central to our commitment to developing a love of reading, writing and creativity across the school.”
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