Our programmes expand young people’s horizons and raise aspirations. Participants gain skills that underpin academic attainment and support achieving potential.
Creative Writing Residencies
Our flagship Writer-in-Residence programme is offered either term-long (eight weeks) or year-long (sixteen weeks). Professional writers work intensively with a group of up to twenty-one students and their teacher. Ninety-minute workshops take place on the school grounds, outside of the timetable and curriculum.
Teachers’ CPD
We share our expertise in creative writing pedagogy through bespoke training for schools’ staff, equipping teachers and educators to continue our work.
The Young Writers’ Festival
Our unique day-long event, packed with workshops, poetry slams, keynote speakers, talks and readings, brings together hundreds of young writers from all our partner schools nationally.
National Competitions
We run several national writing competitions during the academic year. Winners of our ‘100-Word Story’ and ‘Six-Word Story’ challenges have their writing published on specially-commissioned pencils and postcards.
Regional Writing Events
Mid-programme writing events in collaboration with local universities, museums and arts venues, open students’ minds, expand horizons and inspire creative engagement.
Published Anthologies
Intensive writing workshops culminate in the publication of an anthology of students’ work, edited by their Writer-in-Residence. We publish over 60 anthologies every year. Copies are awarded to students at celebratory book launch events.
National Writing Day
NWD is a diverse programme of public, educational and online activities which inspire everyone — young people, families, teachers, schools and communities — to engage with writing for pleasure.
Summer Residential
In partnership with teamArchie, 16 First Story students who have shown great potential in their writing during the academic year, are awarded a fully-funded place to attend a week-long residential course at a prestigious Arvon writing retreat.
Graduate Opportunities
Post-programme opportunities for First Story students include Rathbones Folio Prize mentorships, an ambassadorial role with public speaking opportunities, and sign-posting to competitions, awards and work experience placements.
