Jill Murphy, the late author and illustrator of The Worst Witch series, was inspired by her own struggles in school to create the character of Mildred Hubble, one of the worst students at her Catholic grammar school. Recently, Murphy’s family unearthed her school reports from when she was 15, around the time she was working on the first draft of the beloved novel.
Despite receiving negative comments from her teachers such as “lazy”, “not working to capacity”, and “could do better”, Murphy valued these reports and saw them as instrumental to her work. Her son, Charlie Murphy, revealed that some teachers served as inspiration for characters like Miss Hardbroom and Miss Cackle in her books.
Interestingly, there seems to be a discrepancy in one of Murphy’s report cards where she suddenly receives top grades in every subject, including glowing compliments from her teachers. Charlie suspects that this report card may have been forged by his mother, as the handwriting and tone closely resemble Murphy’s own voice.
The doodles and drawings found on the report card, along with handwritten lyrics of popular songs from the 1960s, suggest that Murphy may have created this fantasy report card as she worked on The Worst Witch. It reflects her rebellious and individualistic nature, much like Mildred’s character in the books.
Murphy’s ability to write and draw, despite struggling academically, allowed her to carve her own path and find success as an author and illustrator. This journey of self-discovery mirrors Mildred’s experiences in The Worst Witch, where she consistently overcomes obstacles and stays true to herself.
In retrospect, it’s clear that Murphy’s personal struggles and triumphs greatly influenced the creation of The Worst Witch series. Her unique voice and perspective shine through in her work, resonating with readers of all ages.
