In its third year, the Rathbones Folio Mentorships programme is an invaluable opportunity for four talented First Story graduates to be paired with four accomplished writers from the Folio Academy.
Durham Commission report: a catalyst for change?
The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education report is a 96 page deep dive into why and how creativity should be placed at the heart of the British education system. Jess Fear shares her thoughts.
First Story alumni in Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2019
It’s the biggest poetry competition in the world for 11-17 year olds and former First Story students are among the 2019 commended poets.
First Story at BBC Contains Strong Language festival
The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival attracts world-class writers and performers to Hull, to appear alongside homegrown talent – including First Story students and Writers-in-Residence.
The First Story Summer Residential 2019
Sixteen talented First Story students go on a week-long writing retreat at the Arvon centre, Lumb Bank.
Flashers’ Club reluctantly wraps up
The quarterly flash fiction fundraiser that’s raised much needed funds for First Story since 2016.
Write-Along Movies at Genesis Cinema turns two
Celebrating two years of the monthly fundraiser for writers and film fans at London’s iconic indie cinema.
Picket Line Poetry in Hull
Our students from secondary schools across Hull formed a picket line of poetry for National Writing Day protesting their right to express themselves creatively.
The Fault in Our Stories
Writer-in-Residence Mashuda Snaith introduces the 2019 anthology by students at the City of Leicester College.
#Merky Books Collaboration
We’re delighted to be working with Stormzy’s #Merky Books and the Good Literary Agency on the #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize.
On Letters (Live)
A report on Letters Live’s benefit performance for First Story at London’s Union Chapel.
100-Word Story 2018 Winners
Now in its fifth year, First Story’s 100-Word Story competition, judged by Vintage, is open to participating students, aged 11-18.
Creative Writing in Schools: Recommendations
Arts Council England releases its final report on the outcomes and impact of our three-year Creative Writing in Schools grant.
Robert Webb will present our BBC Radio 4 Appeal
The actor and author Robert Webb will be presenting a charity appeal on beahlf of First Story on Radio 4.
Imaru Lewis at YWF18
First Story programme graduate, Imaru Lewis’s speech to current students at the Young Writers’ Festival 2018.
YWF18 Highlights
YWF18 speakers included award-winning poets Kei Miller and Shivanee Ramlochan and best-selling author Stephen Kelman.
100-Word Story 2017 Winners
We’re delighted to announce the winner of the 2017 First Story 100-Word Story Competition in partnership with Vintage.
YWF17 Highlights
YWF17 went dual-site for the first time! Featuring poets John Agard and Grace Nichols in Oxford, while Simon Armitage spoke in Hull.
First Story has partnered with the BBC
First Story announced as one of two new partners of the BBC’s short story awards.
New research shows that arts projects can help narrow the achievement gap
Literature review from First Story, Paper Nations and LKMco explores what schools can do to support creative writing.
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall celebrates her 70th birthday in style
David Walliams and Lauren Child were among the authors to celebrate with The Duchess of Cornwall where charities gifted 70 children’s books to 70 schools.
Make your voice heard as a First Story Ambassador
We’re looking for First Story graduates to shape what we do.
The Folio Academy Mentorship Scheme needs you
Take your writing to the next level by applying to our exclusive Mentorship scheme in partnership with the Folio Prize Foundation and Rathbones.
The First Story Residential Anthology 2016
We’re thrilled to share the 2016 Residential Anthology which is full of brave new writing.
