Every March the University of Leicester opens its doors to the general public for a sumptuous array of free literature events. Since 2022, schools in the region have been invited to take part, writing along with First Story professional writers and then performing their work to an open audience in the First Story showcase event.
This year students from two schools attended: Sidney Stringer Academy (Coventry) and Crown Hills Community College (Leicester). The day opened with a welcome from First Story and University of Leicester colleagues before students headed into two creative writing workshops led by First Story writers Andy Craven-Griffiths and John Berkavitch. Students took part in rhyme battles, and wrote list poems and sets of instructions on how to achieve the unachievable.
After lunch, University of Leicester students answered the young writers’ questions, and then led them across the gorgeous campus to Attenborough Arts Centre, where our students prepared themselves for their first public appearance. Several members of the public joined the audience to hear the students (and teachers!) read, and we were all immensely proud of our achievements on the day.
Young Creatives Collective – Zine launch