Former Quinton House School Pupil who Inspired Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Running Wild’ Visits Year 7 English Pupils

Former Quinton House Pupil, Amber Owen, the inspiration behind the former children’s laureate and bestselling author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo’s hugely successful book, Running Wild met yesterday with year 7 English pupils alongside her Mother Samantha Miles.

Amber, who attended Quinton House between 2006 and 2014 was on holiday with her family aged 8 in 2004 when the tsunami hit Phuket. She had been riding an elephant named Ning Nong, who saved her life after sensing danger and running away from the beach just as the wave came crashing around them.

Current year 7 pupils listened in amazement as Amber and her mother described their experiences of their holiday back in 2004 and how Michael Morpurgo later got in touch. The session provided pupils with first-hand inspiration for an internal creative writing competition on being rescued by an animal in a disaster situation and the opportunity to ask a range of interesting questions.

Head of English and Performing Arts at Quinton House School, Miss Georgina Pearson, said, “it has been incredibly inspiring for pupils to meet former pupil, Amber, ahead of seeing the production today. When we learned of the connection to the School we immediately booked the play as part of our curriculum on imaginative writing and we are thrilled that Amber and her Mother were able to visit the school in person.”

Pupils will be attending a performance of Running Wild at the Royal & Derngate today. The production has already received rave reviews from the press.