CHILDREN at a Johnstone school were given a right royal surprise when they received a letter from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

As part of Thorn Primary’s literacy programme, pupils in the primary three and four classes have been reading the children’s book Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown.

The story follows the adventures of a boy who is accidentally crushed by a bulletin board in his bedroom.

Despite being flattened, Stanley feels fine and soon gets used to his new appearance.

Inspired by the story, pupils designed their own individual Flat Stanley and decided to reach out to family, friends and the wider community to see if they would help with the literacy project.

With the guidance of class teachers Claire Adams and Kathleen Bell, the children sent their designs by post to different locations around the UK and Ireland, along with a letter they had written to ask for Flat Stanley to be introduced to their recipient’s town.

The Gazette: Pupils and teacher Claire Adams are delighted by the success of their Flat Stanley projectPupils and teacher Claire Adams are delighted by the success of their Flat Stanley project

Gradually, letters began to be posted back to Thorn Primary and clerical assistant Wendy Young would personally deliver each of them.

However, it was one very special letter – addressed to pupil Freya Perrie – that left everyone at the school gobsmacked.

A royal crest on the back was quickly spotted by pupils, who were delighted to learn that Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, had taken the time to reply to Freya’s correspondence.

The letter described the fun Stanley had while visiting their family at Kensington Palace and how he had played with their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – in their garden.

To everyone’s delight, a photograph of the family was also enclosed.
Stephanie Hart, headteacher at Thorn Primary, said: “Flat Stanley’s adventures have reached far and wide.

“Our vision at Thorn Primary is ‘Believe to Achieve’ – and Freya was certainly aspirational when she chose to write to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“Their heartfelt response demonstrated that, if you do believe, you can achieve.”