Help us be there for young people in the hardest hit communities and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on their education, mental health, and life chances.
FOR SCHOOLS: Find out how we are adapting our provision to navigate the pandemic. Learn more >>
We’re England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. Our flagship Young Writers Programme pairs professional writers with secondary schools in low-income communities, where they work intensively with a cohort of young people, nurturing creativity, confidence and ability.
Our extra-curricular enrichment provision encourages aspirations as it expands horizons. Participants develop attitudes, skills and behaviours that underpin engagement with learning, and support progress and achievement of potential.
A transformative experience for participating students. Inspiring support for teachers. An invaluable partnership for the whole school.
“First Story is a fantastic idea. Teenagers are under increasing pressure to tailor their work to exams, and to value themselves in terms of the results. First Story offers young people something else. It helps them find a voice. Creative writing can change people’s lives; I’ve seen it happen. It’s more than learning a skill. It’s about learning that you, your family, your culture and your view of the world are rich and interesting and important, whoever you happen to be.”
MARK HADDON
Anthologies
Every year, we publish exciting new work by talented young writers from under-represented communities.
First Story News
First Story Writers Create New Resources for International Women’s Day
Cecilia Knapp and Christina Lewis have produced a series of creative-writing resources for International Women’s Day that can be used in the classroom and beyond. Read their powerful forewords.
First Story Writers Create New Resources for International Women’s DayRead More
Six Word Story 2020 shortlist and winners announced
Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. Entry closed in late December. From a shortlist of excellent stories, the editors at Penguin Random House picked this year’s winner.
Six Word Story 2020 shortlist and winners announcedRead More
Kate Clanchy supports our CPD provision for teachers
Earlier this month, First Story in the East Midlands trialled a new way of offering CPD to our teachers, with a free event held online on a Saturday, led by the celebrated teacher and writer, Kate Clanchy.
Kate Clanchy supports our CPD provision for teachersRead More
WATCH: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2019/20 Showcase
Watch exclusive clips from this summer’s virtual showcase event, which celebrated new writing by five First Story alumni, chosen to be Rathbones Folio Prize Mentees in 2019/20.
WATCH: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2019/20 ShowcaseRead More
How we are navigating COVID-19 to keep supporting young people
First Story hasn’t stopped working through the pandemic. Adapted models of our Young Writers Programme are running during autumn term 2020/21 in partner schools across England.
How we are navigating COVID-19 to keep supporting young peopleRead More
FIVE tuition fee bursaries on offer from University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education
Five bursary places available to study for a University of Cambridge PGCert in Teaching Creative Writing at its Institute of Continuing Education
New First Story Young Ambassadors Programme
Our new Young Ambassadors Programme is an exciting supported volunteering opportunity for alumni keen to continue their engagement with creative writing. It puts young people at the heart of promoting creative writing within their schools and local communities.
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2020/21
In its fourth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs four talented First Story alumni with acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy, receiving a year of 1:1 mentoring support to further develop their writing craft.
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2020/21Read More
Summer 2020 Virtual Residential
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, this summer, our annual residential programme took place virtually. With participants connecting entirely online, we managed to maintain almost all of the key elements that make this project so special and impactful.
Post-pandemic, how could literacy education change?
For a recent virtual roundtable, we asked three prominent figures in arts and education, Prof. Dame Alison Peacock, Kate Clanchy MBE, and the Young Vic’s Lorna McGinty: What needs to be in place for the schools sector to ensure high quality, holistic literacy provision which has long term impact on outcomes for all children?
Post-pandemic, how could literacy education change?Read More
First Story writers create new BHM resources
Three writers – Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Bridget Minamore, and Khadijah Ibrahiim – have produced a series of creative-writing resources for Black History Month that can be used in the classroom and beyond. Read their powerful forewords.
Saint Gabriel’s College ’20:20 Vision’ anthology launch
After months of lockdown and Zoom meetings, our CEO got to attend a First Story anthology launch in person earlier this month —albeit socially-distanced—when she went along to St Gabriel’s College in South London, to help students celebrate the publication of their new anthology ’20:20 Vision’.
Saint Gabriel’s College ’20:20 Vision’ anthology launchRead More
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