The Summer Residential is an opportunity for students who have shown great potential during the First Story Young Writers Programme to develop their confidence, creativity and writing skills in an …
It All Started in the Library at The Bulwell Academy
Joel Hunt, school librarian at The Bulwell Academy in Nottingham, has come to the end of his first year as the school's lead for the First Story Young Writers Programme. Working with First Story …
Writers-in-Residence Skills Share Day 2023
On Tuesday 5th September, 25 First Story writers attended our annual Skills Share Day at our Webber Street office in London. We were pleased to welcome writers new to First Story including Freddie …
Summer 2023 anthology launch events
All First Story groups work collaboratively towards publication of a printed anthology. Empowered with agency throughout the process, participants choose which pieces to include — learning how to …
Huddersfield Connect 2023
35 students from three schools took part in our Yorkshire Connect event at the University of Huddersfield in July 2023. Students from Co-op Academy Grange, Titus Salt School and Carlton Keighley …
London Connect 2023
120 students – Year 7 to Year 12 – from eight London schools took part in our Connect event at the University of Greenwich in June 2023. Connect events are included in our offer for Young …
Folio mentorships 2023 showcase
The Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme gives talented First Story alumni the opportunity to be mentored for one year by experienced, acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy. On 15 July our …
Her Majesty The Queen celebrates First Story’s 15th birthday
Her Majesty, who became First Story’s Patron in 2011, held a reception at Clarence House on 11 July to celebrate 15 years of our work empowering young people with the confidence and skills to tell …
Eco-poetry competition winners 2023
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 …
School Writing Trail with Manchester City of Literature
Nineteen students from the six local schools who took part in Manchester Connect event in April 2023 featured in Manchester UNESCO City of Literature's first Schools' Writing Trail in June …
100 Word Story Competition Winners 2023
Over 550 students at First Story partner schools entered this year's 100 Word Story Competition and took on the challenge of writing a captivating story in only 100 words. Competition sponsors Vintage …
Manchester Connect event
Ninety five students from six local schools took part in our first Manchester Connect event in April 2023. In collaboration with the Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester, …
15th birthday ‘tombola poem’
…
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 …
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 …
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 …
Inspiring First Story students to write about a positive future
In February this year, First Story invited Y9 students to an Authors Day, as part of a joint initiative with Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature (NUCoL) and the University of Nottingham’s Manuscripts …
Working with First Story: a librarian’s perspective
Dianne Blashill is the School Librarian at Co-op Academy Grange, and she has worked with First Story as School Lead for the Young Writers Programme for the last six years after several previous years …
First Story is 15
We've grown up from the seed of an inspirational idea to an established charity championing creativity through a sustained programme for young people across England. Over fifteen years so many young …
Six Word Story 2022 winner, national finalists and special mentions announced
Our first competition of the academic year, the Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's famous six word story "For sale: baby shoes, never …
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 …
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2022/23
We are now in the sixth year of our partnership with the prestigious Rathbones Folio Prize, through which talented First Story students benefit from working one-to-one with an acclaimed writer from …
Passing the Parcel at The Portico Library
First Story and The Writing Squad came together to highlight opportunities available for young writers in Greater Manchester in a taster session hosted by The Portico Library. Through a set of …
Summer residential 2022 highlights
First Story's annual summer residential provides an incredible opportunity for a small number of Young Writers Programme participants who have shown great promise during the academic year. Students …
