Allanian writer inspires pupils on World Book Day

Allanian author and screenwriter Keith Brumpton returned to Dame Allan’s for World Book Day, delivering an assembly and workshops with Junior School pupils while reflecting on how his education helped shape a successful career in television and children’s publishing.

Pupils at Dame Allan’s were given a colourful insight into the creative industries when Allanian author and television writer Keith Brumpton (Class of 1976) returned to school to mark World Book Day.

Keith delivered an assembly at Dame Allan’s Junior School before working with pupils in smaller workshops, sharing how stories are developed for television and books and encouraging pupils to have confidence in their own ideas.

Over the course of his career, Keith has established himself as a respected writer. He created the CBBC spy drama MI High and has written for a range of popular programmes including Balamory and 64 Zoo Lane. Alongside his television work, he has written and illustrated more than 30 children’s books and contributed to several award-winning animated productions.

Keith, who attended Dame Allan’s on a direct grant in the 1970s, says the foundations of his career were laid during his school years.

“I always enjoyed storytelling and writing,” he said. “I remember how happy I felt to win the school’s prize for English.”

He credits Dame Allan’s with instilling the confidence and resilience that would later prove essential in the creative industries.

“It was a competitive environment and there was an expectation that you did things well,” he recalled. “I realised quite early on that I respond well to critique. If something isn’t good enough, I want to make it better.”

That mindset has proved invaluable in television writing, where scripts are constantly reviewed, rewritten and sometimes rejected.

“You have to be able to take criticism and keep going,” he said. “There are always notes and changes. The discipline and resilience I developed at Dame Allan’s have stayed with me throughout my career.”

At school, his creativity often extended beyond the classroom. Keith remembers producing extra work in subjects that interested him most, from writing to drawing detailed historical illustrations.

“If I liked a subject, I’d go away and do extra things for it,” he said. “That curiosity and enjoyment of ideas has stayed with me.”

After leaving Dame Allan’s in 1976, Keith studied landscape architecture at Manchester Polytechnic before deciding to pursue writing full-time. A defining moment in his career came when he won a BBC competition that led to the creation of MI High, the CBBC spy drama that ran for several successful series.

“To have an original drama series commissioned was incredible,” he said. “Seeing the characters come to life on screen was a fantastic experience.”

Returning to Dame Allan’s, Keith said it was important to share his experiences with today’s pupils.

“The biggest thing I wanted them to take away is belief in their own ideas,” he said. “Self-doubt can be very destructive, especially if you’re trying to do something creative.”

He also encouraged pupils to pursue careers they genuinely enjoy.

“I can’t imagine going through life hating your job,” he said. “If you love what you’re doing, that’s the most important thing.”

For Keith, the visit was also a reminder of the role Dame Allan’s played in shaping his journey.

“I’m proud to be an Allanian,” he said. “Coming back is a good reminder of where it all started.”