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First Story

Changing lives through writing

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First Story Impact Report 2019/20

A summary of First Story’s impact during the academic year ending 30 June 2020.

Follow the link to read the report online or click the ‘download’ button to save a copy to your computer.

First-Story-Impact-Report-2019-20Download

FS Theory of Change Graphic

Our Evaluation Methodology

Students who participate in our intensive programmes complete start- and end-point surveys.

We also collect two samples of students’ writing: one at the beginning of the programme and another from the final anthology.

We interview the group’s teacher too, for their assessment of students’ improvement against their start points.


Impact Case Study

Belle Vue Girls’ School

Between 2016 and 2018, we tracked progress in detail at Belle Vue Girls’ School in Bradford, as they worked with our Writer-in-Residence Emily Diamand. Students were selected for the programme on the basis of their results at the end of year 9, with underperforming students of mixed ability invited to join the First Story group.

71%

of students made academic progress over the year

53%

had closed the gap considerably, working on or above the national average in English

57%

of Pupil Premium students made progress over the year

Belle Vue tries to measure more than academic progress and their lead teacher noted many other positive impacts on students:

  • Engagement and attendance remained excellent throughout.
  • Students increased in confidence in approaching imaginative writing tasks for GCSE English.
  • Students developed greater emotional intelligence, becoming more reflective about themselves and their lives, and tackling difficult topics with sensitivity.
  • First Story’s programme extensions broadened horizons as students met new people from different backgrounds and developed greater independence.

Outcomes for students: the teachers’ perspective

Data from external evaluation conducted by LKMCo between 2015 and 2018

90%

of teachers believed that participating in First Story improved students’ ability to express themselves

100%

of teachers believed that taking part in First Story had improved students’ wellbeing

80%

of teachers saw first-hand that participation improved students’ attainment


Outcomes for Teachers

Teachers play a vital role in sustaining the long tail of impact. Lead teachers are expected to participate fully in First Story workshops, writing alongside students. Those who have are more likely to say they feel confident they have the tools and resources to teach creative writing to a high standard. Many teachers have also told us First Story rekindled their ‘lost love’ of writing!

Our year-long Writer-in-Residence programme includes a free CPD session for teaching staff at the school. Our writers will lead a 60-90 minute workshop for up to 21 staff, exploring strategies and techniques to use in the classroom.    

“I can say honestly that I have learnt so much from my involvement with First Story; from gleaning inspiring teaching methods to being inspired to hone my own creative voice.”

Lorna Dodds, teacher, Quitin Kynaston Community Academy

Whole School Impact

We’re continually striving to expand our reach — to engage more students, teachers and schools leaders — and to deepen our legacy and sustainability of impact. Our residency programme provides tools, resources and advice to support writing across the whole school.


Evaluation Reports

In 2015-18 we ran two separate evaluation projects to assess our impact, in conjunction with Arts Council England’s Creative Writing in Schools.

CREATIVE WRITING IN SCHOOLS

FINAL REPORT — FEBRUARY 2019

This three-year research project conducted by LKMco, a youth and education think tank, confirmed that young people and educators receive great benefit from First Story’s presence.

Download

The Practice of experienced First Story Writers

by Pat Cochrane — AUGUST 2017

During 2016-17 Pat Cochrane, a former CEO of Cape, observed the pedagogy of eight of First Story’s most accomplished writers. Her report found that our writers were highly consistent in their practice. They treated young people as creative partners and gave them the necessary space, permission and support to grow as creative writers.

Download

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Contact

While our office remains closed, we may not access post. Please contact us by email.

info@firststory.org.uk

020 7481 7777

First Story
44 Webber Street
London
SE1 8QW

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