Just before Half Term (20–23 May 2025), I was lucky enough to head off with four of our English students on a Pen-to-Print writing retreat in Hay-on-Wye, based at Trewern Outdoor Education Centre. We teamed up with three other borough schools (Sydney Russell, Eastbury and Dagenham Park) - sixteen students altogether and from the moment we jumped off the train in Hereford, the week felt like one big adventure. We soaked up the beauty of Bannau Brycheiniog, swapped screens for fresh air and bookshops, and discovered just how much inspiration can hide in a tiny market town.
Hay-on-Wye, of course, is famous for its shelves upon shelves of stories, so we completed a treasure-hunt challenge to track down local landmarks, spot references to classic books, and see who could unearth the oldest volume hiding in an honesty stall. A wander through St Mary’s Church in Cusop added an unexpected spark with names on old gravestones that fed straight into character sketches, a bit like the Eleanor Rigby moment for The Beatles.
Out in the wild we clambered up waterfalls at Blaen y Glyn, floated down clear pools, and paused on riverbanks to scribble in notebooks. The area, known for its stunning waterfalls and trails, also has an old abandoned railway line that runs alongside the stream. At one point, we made our way through a tunnel on the path with our lights off, in pairs, using sticks to feel our way along the walls in total darkness.
Alongside all the writing and walking, there was no shortage of fun. Students played heated games of Mafia, tried their hand at archery, and some even took on the climbing wall. Others made the most of the surroundings, watching sheep wander freely and spotting horses in nearby farmers’ fields and of course, no downtime is complete without a quick kickabout in the grass.
Evenings back at Trewern meant hot food and writing workshops with Pen to Print, including one memorable session led by the brilliant Jenny Valentine. During her workshop, students used arty postcards as a springboard for their writing, sparking fresh ideas and creativity. By the final night, everyone had a story or poem inspired by muddy boots, festival buzz (thanks to author events with Anu Adebogun, Alice Roberts and Christopher Edge), and the joy of being surrounded by books. We even bumped into Jenny later on in Hay town, where she kindly signed some of the kids’ books. Pen to Print will be publishing the results later this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of the imagination and bravery our writers showed all week.
Miss Fowler









