I had a wonderful day yesterday at Robin Hood School, Kingston Vale. I didn’t get a picture of the school. I was tired and forgot at the end of the day. It is a wonderful example of a 1950s school. I can imagine the original children lined up for their cod liver oil and orange juice before sitting around a sun lamp for five minutes to get their vitamin D. The very name of the school evokes the period. England was a little obsessed with Robin Hood and Chaucer and all things Olde Englande at the time.

Tucked away in the corner of the gymn is a maypole! Beutifully made of what looks like beech, with a turned top – a real piece of craftsmanship and again, evocative of the time the school was built when England was full of historical pageants and a return to folk roots. I wonder what other interesting things lie hidden around the place? The Stage is wonderful, all curved lines and spirally staircases. On one wall outside, is a stone carving which looks as though it could be an Eric Gill or by one of his followers. Again, forgot to take a picture. I’m not a good Journalist. The school was in a beautiful setting. You would think you were out in the country.

It was the school’s Arts Fortnight, organised by the tireless Deputy Head, Julie Smith. My name was added to the impressive list of authors and illustrators, who have previously visited the school, that is painted on the Arts Fortnight Mural that grows each year. It reads like a who’s who of children’s books. I feel honoured to join the list. You may notice Ricky Rocket floating along underneath one of Anthony Browne’s gorillas.

The children had certainly done their homework on my website and seemed to know more about me then I did! Many thanks for a great day.