Junior School welcomes author Rhian Tracey

Pupils from J1–J3 enjoyed an inspiring visit from children’s fiction author Rhian Tracey on Wednesday, joining pupils from our partnership schools across Oxford for a special author event.

Rhian introduced her popular Bletchley Park Mystery series, which links closely to the pupils’ recent trip and coding projects. Through her historical fiction, she brings the Second World War to life for young readers, combining mystery, history and problem-solving while exploring the real stories of Bletchley Park and its codebreakers.

During the session, Rhian shared insights into her research for I, Spy and the wider series, explaining how stories from Bletchley Park, historical research and family connections have helped shape her writing. She spoke about the important role of women during WWII and how she aims to make these often-overlooked stories accessible and engaging for younger readers. Rhian also discussed her journey as an author and her work creating books that encourage a wide range of children to enjoy reading, including through dyslexia-friendly approaches.

Sharing stories about her books, characters and writing journey, she offered a fascinating insight into life as an author. The session captured pupils’ imaginations from start to finish. Hands were raised throughout as pupils eagerly contributed ideas and posed thoughtful questions during a lively Q&A. Their curiosity, enthusiasm and knowledge led to some excellent discussions about writing, history and problem-solving.

Following the talk, many pupils queued up to meet Rhian in person and have their books signed, enjoying the opportunity to say hi to the author.

Thank you to Rhian for a memorable visit that brought books, coding and the mysteries of Bletchley Park to life.