An intensive KS3 programme to boost confidence and language skills in writing, discussion and sharing. Led by a professional writer, three in-school workshops will encourage students to …
News archive

First Story Young Creatives
First Story is delighted to have secured funding to deliver a new Young Creatives Programme over the next three years. This is an exciting opportunity for us to develop new progression routes for our …
Six Word Story Competition Winners 2024/25
Our annual Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” we ask our young …
First Story students appear live on Leeds radio station Chapel FM
First Story students from Co-op Academy Grange in Bradford were invited to read their writing live on Leeds' Chapel FM on Friday 6 December. Students had prepared pieces for the broadcast, with writer …
Sophie Hiscock announced as new CEO of First Story
Sophie Hiscock, currently Director of Communications and Impact at Oxford’s The Story Museum, has been announced as the new Chief Executive of First Story and will take over from Antonia Byatt who has …
First Story’s response to the Curriculum Review
Last week First Story submitted a response to the Government’s curriculum review. We welcome the chance to respond and wanted to share what we said. Enrichment programmes like First Story’s Young …
First Story Alumni Event at the London Library
We invited First Story Alumni to an in-person event at The London Library on 8 November. It was a chance for those who'd taken part in the Young Writers Programme to meet each other, and us, and take …
Fair Education Alliance Youth Summit 2024
By Tilly Wiggins, First Story AlumnusThe 2024 Fair Education Youth Summit took place on Tuesday 29 October and brought together 200 young people passionate about reducing inequalities in …
Announcing: Folio Academy Mentorships 2024/25
We are now in the eighth year of our partnership with The Writers' Prize, through which talented First Story students benefit from working one-to-one with an acclaimed writer from The Folio …
Inua Ellams announced as First Story Ambassador
Award-winning poet, playwright and performer, Inua Ellams has been announced as an Ambassador for First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. He joins the celebrated …
Writers-in-Residence Skills Share Day 2024
Our Annual Skills Share Day is a chance for our writers to come together, undertake peer to peer training and hear our plans for the year ahead. On Tuesday 5th September, we welcomed First Story …
First Story Young Writers Residential 2024
Each July, First Story takes a group of 16 students from across England on a week-long residential trip. Hosted by Arvon at their Hebden Bridge centre, it’s an opportunity for students to develop …
First Story in Alternative Provision
A key strand of First Story's organisational strategy is to reach and benefit more of the most underserved young people by increasing access to our Young Writers Programme for students in Alternative …
Folio Academy Mentorships 2024 showcase
The Folio Academy Mentorship scheme gives talented First Story alumni the opportunity to be mentored for one year by experienced, acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy. On 13 July our 2023/24 …
London Connect 2024
Over 80 students – Year 7 to Year 12 – from six London schools took part in our Connect event at the University of Greenwich in early July 2024. Connect events are included in our offer for Young …
Manchester Connect 2024
66 students from four Greater Manchester schools took part in our Connect event at the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in July 2024.Connect events are included in our offer for Young Writers …
East Midlands Connect 2024
50 students from three East Midlands schools took part in our Connect event at the University of Lincoln in June 2024.Connect events are included in our offer for Young Writers Programme cohorts. As …
First Story at Nottingham Poetry Festival
This June we were proud to celebrate the finale of our collaboration with Nottingham Poetry Festival, at an inspiring event at Nottingham's new Central Library. Two schools - The Bulwell Academy and …
Eco-Poetry competition winners 2024
This year's Eco-Poetry competition saw thought-provoking entries from students in First Story partner schools across England. Young writers' concern about the environment was highlighted in their …
Winners of the inaugural Philip Pyke Memorial Prize announced
Open to writers of poetry and prose who have completed our Young Writers Programme, the Prize is awarded in memory of Philip Pyke to support young writers as they continue their writing journey. …
100 Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24
This year’s 100 Word Story Competition again demonstrated the talent amongst our young writers. Over 270 students from First Story partner schools wrote brilliant stories, taking on the …
First Story bursary opportunities for PGCert Teaching Creative Writing at University of Cambridge
For the sixth 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 …
A day of creative collaboration – First Story Writers at the Courtauld Gallery
We recently reignited our partnership with London's Courtauld Gallery, which had previously hosted Schools Connect Events before the pandemic. 10 of our London writers attended a 'meeting of …
Six Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24
Our annual Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” we ask our young …