Published Children's Author Olivia Tuffin Visits Year 8 to Inspire Budding Writers

Olivia, who lives on an arable farm in Dorset with her husband, two children, and an assortment of ponies, dogs, pet sheep and chickens, draws heavily on her rural life for inspiration. Still passionate about horses, she often rides through the countryside with her children — experiences that feed directly into her pony-themed stories.

 Speaking to students about her path to becoming a published author, Olivia described herself as "an unlikely author" and the only horse-lover in a family of doctors. She explained how, as a child, pony stories offered her a way into a world she longed to be part of. Her writing career began in earnest following a riding accident, which gave her the time to finally put down a story she had been "carrying" in her head for years. She has since been published worldwide.

During the visit, Olivia gave students an insight into her writing process and the real-life inspirations behind her books, even creating a new character live with the class as part of a writing exercise. Year 8 students then took on the challenge themselves, using her prompts to develop their own creative pieces. The session closed with students sharing their work and receiving encouraging feedback from Olivia.

 The school's Talent Pathway students played a key role in the visit, meeting and greeting Olivia, introducing her to the year group, and delivering the closing thanks — representing the school with distinction throughout. Thanks were also extended to the staff and ponies at the school's Equestrian Centre, who hosted Olivia and students during the visit.

The school extends its thanks to Olivia Tuffin for an inspiring and memorable session with Year 8.