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 …
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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 …
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. …
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 …
Young Writers Festival Highlights 2024
On 27 March 2024, nearly 300 First Story participants from across England came together at Downing College, University of Cambridge, to take part in our annual Young Writers Festival. It was a day …
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 …
Six Word Stories auction raises over £16,000
As part of activities during 2023 to celebrate First Story's milestone 15th birthday, we launched a unique literary auction on 9 October, Six Word Stories. Featuring handwritten, signed and framed …
‘First Story is 15’ party highlights
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Announcing: Folio Prize Mentorships 2023/24
We are now in the seventh year of our partnership with the prestigious Folio Prize, through which talented First Story students benefit from working one-to-one with an acclaimed writer from the Folio …
Why six words?
First Story recently challenged best-selling and prize-winning authors, including Michael Morpurgo, Neil Gaiman, Elif Shafak, our Ambassador, Tracy Chevalier and many others, to pen original six-word …
All of life in six words
My friend said, if your young writers can do it, then why wouldn’t you ask professionals? Like all good things, it sounds easier than it is. Writing a six word story is actually a pretty …
Six Word Stories auction to raise vital funds for First Story
A collection of acclaimed and best-selling authors have written original six word stories to be auctioned in aid of First Story. The unique literary auction Six Word Stories runs online from 9 October …
Summer Residential 2023 highlights
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 …
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 …
