Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. From a shortlist of excellent stories, the editors at Penguin Random House picked this year’s winner.
FIVE First Story bursaries for PGCert at University of Cambridge
Five bursary places available to study for a University of Cambridge PGCert in Teaching Creative Writing at its Institute of Continuing Education
Young Writers Festival 2021 Highlights
First Story history, 2021’s celebrations took place entirely online, with students and schools joining us virtually to take part in workshops and hear award-winning authors discuss their work.
Passing the virtual baton: corporate fundraising success
In September 2021 marketing localization agency, Wordbank approached First Story with an idea: to raise donations for our Young Writers Programme through fun, collaborative activities with their team.
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2021/22
In its fifth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs six talented First Story alumni with acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy, receiving a year of 1:1 mentoring support to further develop their writing craft.
WATCH: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2020-21 Showcase
Watch clips from this summer’s virtual showcase event, which celebrated new writing by five First Story alumni, chosen to be Rathbones Folio Prize Mentees in 2020/21.
Patrice Lawrence MBE announced as First Story Ambassador
Carnegie Medal nominee, Patrice Lawrence MBE has been announced as Ambassador for First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. Lawrence will champion First Story’s mission to promote the power and pleasure of creative writing to students in low-income communities.
Summer 2021 residential highlights: another digital success
The ongoing pandemic meant our annual summer residential course had to be delivered virtually for a second year — and we smashed it again!
‘First Story is life-changing’: Young Writers Programme in Alternative Provision
In 2021, First Story facilitated a sixteen-week Young Writers Programme 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. Commerce House marks the first in a series of programmes First Story will implement across Pupil Referral Units in London, the Midlands and the North.
‘I am so grateful to have had this experience’
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.
National Writing Day 2021 #FilltheBox Challenge Highlights
The fifth annual National Writing Day took place on 23 June 2021, celebrating the power and pleasure of creative writing. This year’s celebrations took place both online and in schools, to ensure as many people as possible had the opportunity to put pen to paper.
Celebrating our very first set of ecopoetry competition winners!
What a year it’s been! A year more turbulent than ever with the effects of a global pandemic creating an acute social, political and economic crisis more pressing than any other in living memory for many of us. And yet COVID-19 is far from the only pressing crisis we face… With experts telling us that …
Working with our Young Ambassadors: Pilot stage 1
When we launched the Young Ambassador’s Pilot programme in autumn term 2020 with our Paul Hamlyn Foundation schools, we had no idea what lay ahead. With year group bubbles being sent home periodically across the country and students oscillating between digital and in-person learning, we knew that our well-laid plans were set to be tested! …
First Story Co-founder, Katie Waldegrave receives MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
First Story are thrilled that one of our founders, Katie Waldegrave has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021. Alongside 1,000 individuals, Katie has been honoured for her outstanding contribution to her community with an MBE. A former teacher, Katie founded First Story in 2008 alongside award-winning author, William Fiennes, with the aim to bring creative …
100-Word Story Competition winners 2021 – What a year!
It’s almost unimaginable to think back to last year’s 100-Word Story Competition, the deadline for which closed just before the first ever lockdown. How things have changed since! How our stories have changed and how we have had to adapt and grow as writers in these disconnected times. It feels, somehow, all the more special …
First Story calls for a fair literacy education for all
Together with our partner charities Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, Driver Youth Trust and Fair Education Alliance, we’ve written to The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, Secretary of State for Education. We’re calling for long term, sustained funding for resources, interventions and experiences for all children and young people, helping them to build the …
First Story Writers Create New Resources for International Women’s Day
Cecilia Knapp and Christina Lewis have produced a series of creative-writing resources for International Women’s Day that can be used in the classroom and beyond. Read their powerful forewords.
Six Word Story 2020 shortlist and winners announced
Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. Entry closed in late December. From a shortlist of excellent stories, the editors at Penguin Random House picked this year’s winner.
Kate Clanchy supports our CPD provision for teachers
Earlier this month, First Story in the East Midlands trialled a new way of offering CPD to our teachers, with a free event held online on a Saturday, led by the celebrated teacher and writer, Kate Clanchy.
WATCH: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2019/20 Showcase
Watch exclusive clips from this summer’s virtual showcase event, which celebrated new writing by five First Story alumni, chosen to be Rathbones Folio Prize Mentees in 2019/20.
How we are navigating COVID-19 to keep supporting young people
First Story hasn’t stopped working through the pandemic. Adapted models of our Young Writers Programme are running during autumn term 2020/21 in partner schools across England.
FIVE tuition fee bursaries on offer from University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education
Five bursary places available to study for a University of Cambridge PGCert in Teaching Creative Writing at its Institute of Continuing Education
New First Story Young Ambassadors Programme
Our new Young Ambassadors Programme is an exciting supported volunteering opportunity for alumni keen to continue their engagement with creative writing. It puts young people at the heart of promoting creative writing within their schools and local communities.
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2020/21
In its fourth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs four talented First Story alumni with acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy, receiving a year of 1:1 mentoring support to further develop their writing craft.
