Norland students bring Gruffalo Granny to life for hundreds of families at Westonbirt
3 November 2026
Norland University of Early Childhood students volunteered at a special family event celebrating the launch of Julia Donaldson’s latest book, Gruffalo Granny, bringing the story to life and using Makaton to help make the experience accessible to children with different communication needs.
Hosted by Westonbirt Arboretum, the free family event welcomed more than 700 people to storytelling sessions throughout the day. Norland students were invited by Westonbirt Arboretum, which is run by Forestry England, to lead a series of afternoon storytelling sessions for young visitors and their families. Demand was so high that the students added extra sessions, while those with Makaton skills supported storytelling throughout the day to help children with different communication needs engage with and enjoy the experience.
The opportunity enabled students to apply their early childhood knowledge in a real-world setting while encouraging children’s enjoyment of language, stories and reading.
“Being able to apply my learning in a real setting while doing something I really enjoy made the experience even more valuable.”
First-year Norland student Molly, Set 150, said: “Taking part in the Gruffalo Granny storytelling at Westonbirt was such a special and rewarding experience. It was wonderful to see how engaged the children were, from those hearing the story for the first time to those joining in and reciting it with us word for word. I also loved seeing how Makaton helped make the storytelling more inclusive so that children throughout the audience could feel involved.
“This was also a great opportunity to put my learning at Norland into practice, using what I’ve learned about language, tone, expression and gesture to bring the story to life and engage the children. Being able to apply my learning in a real setting while doing something I really enjoy made the experience even more valuable.”
Third-year student Isla, Set 148, said: “The Gruffalo Granny event was an amazing experience. I loved using props, character voices and Makaton signing alongside the story, and seeing the impact this had on the children. It was also a great opportunity to strengthen my non-verbal communication skills.
“One child had a hearing impairment, and his parents were so grateful that the experience was inclusive. Drawing on our placement experience and learning from our first-year literature and drama workshop, we used the characters’ emotions to help the children explore regulation and empathy. Seeing their excitement and curiosity made every minute worth it.”
“Storytelling is a powerful tool for supporting children’s language, literacy, imagination and communication skills, and this event enabled our students to put those principles into practice while helping families enjoy a memorable experience together.”
The event reflected key areas of learning across Norland’s BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care degree and skills-based diploma. Students explore children’s learning and development and pedagogical theory, including the role storytelling, communication and literacy can play in supporting positive outcomes for children.
It also connected with Norland’s optional module, A Focus on Children’s Literature, which explores practical approaches to supporting children’s literacy development and positive engagement with reading and writing, including strategies to nurture a lifelong enjoyment of books and literacy.
Amanda Wilkinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching) at Norland, said: “At Norland, we are committed to providing students with opportunities to apply their learning in meaningful real-world contexts. Storytelling is a powerful tool for supporting children’s language, literacy, imagination and communication skills, and this event enabled our students to put those principles into practice while helping families enjoy a memorable experience together.”
Fay Breed, Events Manager at Westonbirt, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Norland students to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum for this special event. Their enthusiasm, creativity and professionalism helped bring Gruffalo Granny to life for hundreds of families.
“The response was phenomenal. The students went above and beyond, adding extra sessions to meet demand and helping to create a memorable, inclusive experience for everyone who attended.”
The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1999–2026 – Macmillan Children’s Books
