95 students from six local schools took part in our first Manchester Connect event, with Manchester University’s Centre for New Writing, MMU’s Poetry Library, and Manchester UNESCO City of Literature.
15th birthday ‘tombola poem’
Attendees at our 2023 Young Writers Festival contributed a line each to create an epic poem in celebration of First Story’s 15th birthday.
Young Writers Festival Highlights 2023
On 30 March 2023, more than 240 First Story participants from across England came together at the University of Cambridge to take part in our annual Young Writers Festival. Held for the first time at Downing College, our 2023 festival was headlined by multi-award-winning children’s author, actress, playwright and screenwriter Manjeet Mann. MC’ed by John …
Eco-poetry Competition now open for 2023
Could your students write a winning poem about the natural world? Our Eco-poetry Competition is now open to all students at First Story partner schools. Your Writer-in-Residence can help shortlist three entries for submission to the national competition. Submissions close at 5pm Friday 26th May 2023, so encourage your students to get writing! Visit the …
First Story bursary opportunities announced for PGCert at University of Cambridge
For the fifth year running, First Story are collaborating with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education to offer a bursary opportunity for those applying for the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing course. Open to those working in state-funded or non-profit organisations such as state schools, public libraries, local authorities, health or prison …
Inspiring First Story students to write about a positive future
Y9 First Story students took part in an Authors Day on Friday 24 February, writing about what they want for a positive future
Working with First Story: a librarian’s perspective
Dianne Blashill, School Librarian at Co-op Academy Grange, reflects on her experience of working with First Story.
Six Word Story 2022 winner, national finalists and special mentions announced
Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. From a shortlist of excellent stories, the editors at Penguin Random House picked this year’s winner.
100 Word Story Competition now open for 2023
Could your students write a captivating story in just 100 words? Judged by literary experts at Vintage, our 100 Word Story Competition is now open to all students at First Story partner schools. Your Writer-in-Residence can help shortlist three entries for submission to the national competition. Submissions close at 5pm Monday 6 March 2023, so …
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2022/23
In its sixth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs six 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.
Passing the Parcel at The Portico Library
Thirteen young writers from First Story partner schools across England came together for a week in July at Arvon’s Lumb Bank centre in rural West Yorkshire.
Summer residential 2022 highlights
Thirteen young writers from First Story partner schools across England came together for a week in July at Arvon’s Lumb Bank centre in rural West Yorkshire.
Folio mentorships 2022 showcase
In July the Rathbones Folio Mentorships 2021/22 cohort performed their writing at the London Library for an audience of mentors, family and friends.
Eco-poetry competition winners 2022
The environment is always something which comes up in our school anthologies, so we know it is something which means a great deal to a great number of First Story young writers. The entries to this year’s Eco Poetry competition were testament to this, as they were as evocative and thought provoking as ever.
Pilot of First Story’s new CPD course for teachers, ‘Think Like a Writer’
Supporting teachers has always been an important part of First Story’s work. Through our flagship Young Writers Programme, we freely share creative writing classroom resources with our partner schools. We also offer complementary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training for First Story lead teachers and colleagues. During the pandemic, our CPD sessions necessarily moved online. This …
Young Writers Festival 2022 highlights
On 29 March 2022, some 300 young writers travelled to the University of Cambridge for First Story’s annual Young Writers Festival, headlined by celebrated author Patrice Lawrence MBE.
100 Word Story Competition Winners 2022
The entries for this year’s 100-Word Story Competition were as vibrant and thought-provoking as ever. We were completely blown away by the creativity and craft of the young writers who took part!
First Story partners with Goldsmiths University to further the careers of emerging young writers
In 2021 First Story were thrilled to partner with Goldsmiths University once again, offering a student completing an MA in Creative Writing & Education the opportunity to become a First Story ‘Shadow Writer’ and work alongside a Writer-in-Residence to support the delivery of one of our Young Writers Programme to students in a low-income community.
Tracy Chevalier announced as First Story Ambassador
Tracy Chevalier has been announced as Ambassador for First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. Chevalier will join Patrice Lawrence MBE in championing First Story’s mission to promote the power and pleasure of creative writing to students in low-income communities.
First Story Writer-in-Residence, Cecilia Knapp wins Ruth Rendell Award
First Story Writer-in-Residence, Cecilia Knapp has won the 2021 Ruth Rendell Award, honouring the author or writer who has had the most significant influence on literacy in the UK over the past year.
Six Word Story 2021 shortlist and winners announced
Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. From a shortlist of excellent stories, the editors at Penguin Random House picked this year’s winner.
FIVE First Story bursaries for PGCert at University of Cambridge
Five bursary places available to study for a University of Cambridge PGCert in Teaching Creative Writing at its Institute of Continuing Education.
Patrice Lawrence MBE announced as First Story Ambassador
Carnegie Medal nominee, Patrice Lawrence MBE has been announced as Ambassador for First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. Lawrence will champion First Story’s mission to promote the power and pleasure of creative writing to students in low-income communities.
Young writers exploring higher education through Connect events
Michelle Burke is Lead Teacher at Haringey Learning Partnership: Commerce House, an alternative provision school and service in Wood Green, London offering specialised teaching and support to students with complex needs.
