Our year-long enrichment provision combines deep learning for a core group, with opportunities for the whole school to benefit from writing creatively. It’s a fun, fulfilling extra-curricular programme, including writing workshops, events and competitions, training and support for teachers, and exceptional progression routes for participants.
Personal development
and enrichment.
Extra-curricular writing workshops provide students with a safe space in which they are free to explore identities, experiences and ideas. First Story’s Writers-in-Residence promote self-expression and encourage creative freedom. Trust is soon established and confidence grows. Participants learn to recognise and value the richness in their own lives. Empowered with agency, young people discover themselves and experience what it means to have a voice.
Academic progress
through deep learning.
Weekly workshops are focused and intensive, intended for a small, consistent cohort to engage in deep learning. Nurtured by an expert role model, students learn and grow through authentic practice, building toward mastery over time. Writing ability and literacy improve considerably. Invaluable transferable skills and habits of mind are developed. Behaviour and attitudes to learning are transformed.
Access, participation
and cultural capital.
We’re at the heart of the arts and education networks in each of our regions and nationally. In collaboration with university partners and arts organisations, First Story offers schools an exclusive programme of extra-curricular opportunities. Our regular events expand young people’s horizons, while increasing their sense of entitlement to access, engage with, and contribute to academic institutions often deemed as privileged.
Whole school engagement.
First Story’s Writers-in-Residence are visible and inspiring role-models, boosting the profile of creative writing around the school. Our wider events offer, competitions and National Writing Day support, all help to engage the whole school community in the practice and benefits of writing creatively.
Training, resources
and support for teachers.
Equipping teachers with the confidence, knowledge and skills to teach creative writing is central to our mission. Honed over more than a decade, First Story’s pedagogy is outstanding. Our writers share freely their expertise and resources. Working with First Story typically leads to increased enjoyment of creative writing by teachers themselves, as they build their own confidence and skill as practitioners.
Progression pathways
for our alumni.
Students who complete our workshops programme are invited to apply for exceptional development opportunities, including fully-funded places to attend a summer residential course at Arvon; one-to-one mentoring by a professional writer through the Rathbones Folio scheme; a role as a First Story Ambassador; public speaking and performance at festivals and events; careers guidance and work experience placements.
What’s included?
| CORE COHORT |
| — Sixteen weeks of group writing workshops (Up to 40 students) |
| — First Story group anthology |
| — Connect event (autumn term) |
| — Can apply to become Young Ambassadors |
| — Can apply for summer residential place |
| — Can apply for Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorship place |
| WHOLE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT |
| — National creative writing competitions (one per term) |
| — Young Writers Festival (spring term) |
| — Pro writer in residence at your school, as inspiring role model |
| — Support to stage a celebratory book launch event |
| FOR TEACHERS |
| — Exclusive creative writing classroom resources to mark key dates during academic year (e.g. BHM, LGBT+ History Month, IWD, Earth Day) |
| —’Think Like a Writer’ CPDL course |
| — Access to First Story’s online ‘Schools Hub’ plus ongoing personal support from your Writer-in-Residence and local First Story programme manager |