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.
Opinion
‘First Story is a project of hope’
Award-winning novelist and long-serving First Story Writer-in-Residence, Anthony Cartwright reflects on what he’s learned as a writer and practitioner after eight years of delivering our programme with five different London schools.
Post-pandemic, how could literacy education change?
For a recent virtual roundtable, we asked three prominent figures in arts and education, Prof. Dame Alison Peacock, Kate Clanchy MBE, and the Young Vic’s Lorna McGinty: What needs to be in place for the schools sector to ensure high quality, holistic literacy provision which has long term impact on outcomes for all children?
Post-pandemic, how could literacy education change?Read More
Creative Writing and Social and Emotional Learning
Lockdown has spotlighted the vital role schools and teachers play in supporting pupils’ wellbeing. Jess Tickell reflects on the relationship between creative writing and social and emotional learning.
School closures have highlighted the gulfs in inequality between young people
The COVID-19 pandemic has widened the gap for attainment, but has also robbed a generation of valuable social and emotional learning.
School closures have highlighted the gulfs in inequality between young peopleRead More
A good education for all: First Story and the Ofsted inspection framework
Ofsted recently published its Annual Report for 2018/19, the year it introduced its new education inspection framework and sparked fresh debate about what works best to tackle disadvantage. Our Chief Executive shares her thoughts.
A good education for all: First Story and the Ofsted inspection frameworkRead More
On being a Writer-in-Residence
Last month, publishers Hachette UK generously hosted a reception for First Story supporters, at which Writer-in-Residence Rachel Seiffert told us what it’s like to have “the best job in the world”.
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.
Six days in Lviv ‘where every third person is a poet’
Our East Midlands programme manager visits Lviv in Ukraine, Nottingham’s fellow UNESCO City of Literature, to contribute to the Underground Literary Movement.
Six days in Lviv ‘where every third person is a poet’Read More
Reflecting on my first summer with First Story
‘In an increasingly polarised world, our capacity to connect diverse young people is a huge benefit’ says new CEO.
Why learning to use your voice is powerful
Our newly-appointed Chief Executive, Antonia Byatt, on her first day in the job and why creative writing matters.
First Story in the RSL Review
An article about the importance of our work and how closely we work with the Royal Society of Literature to provide extra provisions.