LSA Lit Fest 2026 Begins with Inspiring Visit from Former Students

LSA Lit Fest 2026 began in style on World Book Day, as students welcomed back two former LSA students for a special day of talks and creative workshops.

Author Ella Peebles and illustrator Leah Bainbridge returned to school to speak to students about their collaborative book, Watch Us Begin.

During the visit, Ella shared her journey from studying at LSA to writing and self-publishing her own poetry anthology. Students gained a fascinating insight into the process of turning ideas into finished pieces of writing, as well as the determination and creativity involved in publishing a book.

Students from different year groups also took part in interactive creative writing workshops, where Ella guided them through activities designed to spark ideas and build confidence in their own writing. The sessions encouraged students to experiment with language, explore imagination, and see poetry as a powerful form of self-expression.

Alongside this, students learned about the role of illustration in storytelling through the work of Leah Bainbridge, whose artwork brings the poems in Watch Us Begin vividly to life. Leah spoke about her creative process and how illustration can enhance and deepen the meaning of written work.

Having two former LSA students return to share their achievements made the day particularly special and inspiring for current students, showing how creativity developed in school can grow into exciting real-world opportunities.

The visit marked a fantastic start to LSA Lit Fest 2026, with more authors and creative sessions still to come over the next few weeks as we celebrate reading, writing and storytelling across the school.