24 magical pictures as Blackpool Gateway Academy transformed into Harry Potter-inspired wizarding wonderworld

Blackpool Gateway Academy was transformed into a wizarding world on Friday, May 15, as pupils and staff celebrated a Harry Potter Day as part of the National Year of Reading.

The school swapped pens for wands for the themed event, which saw corridors decorated with scenes from the Harry Potter franchise alongside film clips and readings from J.K. Rowling’s books.

The day began with a whole-school assembly led by Headteacher Nicola Makinson, who took on the role of Professor Dumbledore to welcome pupils dressed in costumes inspired by the series.

Lessons were replaced with themed workshops including potion-making experiments, edible treat sessions in “Honeyduke’s Workshop”, Quidditch games on the playground, and creative activities where pupils designed mystical creatures, wrote letters to Harry Potter and created wanted posters.

Every member of staff and all pupils took part in costume, with the academy using the event to encourage reading through imagination, creativity and storytelling.

“We wanted to ensure that reading for pleasure was a key focus for the school,” Miss Makinson explained. “Reading unlocks so many doors and provides children with life chances they might otherwise never access. It’s about sparking creativity.”

Check out our best pictures from the day below...