Welsh poet, writer and actor Connor Allen inspires Hillmead Primary School pupils in Bishop’s Stortford

A Welsh writer, poet and actor inspired pupils at Hillmead school in Bishop’s Stortford.

Connor Allen, who was the Children’s Laureate of Wales from 2021 to 2023, used his poetry and storytelling skills with students in Years 4 to 6 at the Woburn Avenue Primary.

Connor was born and raised in Newport and studied acting at university. In 2023, he won the Imison Award for best original script by a writer new to radio for his semi-autobiographical The Making of a Monster.

He wrote: “Too Black for my white friends, but too white for my Black friends. Growing up mixed race in Newport, I fell into a cloud of grey.

“Absent Black father, ducking the police, working out what it means to be a man. I was struggling to find my place in the world and in danger of spiralling out of control. Then one moment changed my life.”

Hillmead spokeswoman Helen Wardle said: “After a difficult childhood, Connor turned his life around and, thanks to a love of reading, has written a book about growing up, working out his place in the world and the danger of a life spiralling out of control. He now visits schools in the hope that he can inspire the next generation.

“During his visit, the children were encouraged to reflect on the school’s values of being inspired, valued and empowered to create ‘I am’ poems to build self-confidence.”

All pictures courtesy of Hillmead Primary School.