Schools and Education Programme

The Stratford Literary Festival provides an extensive selection of events and workshops for schools and young people throughout the area.

In 2012 we worked with many local schools , including a fabulous performance event called Words Pain Pictures working with local authors and poets.

Schools events for 2013:

For 2013 we had a stellar line-up of writers and illustrators including:

• Sally Gardner
• Charlie Higson
• Korky Paul - illustrator
• Eileen Browne
• Julia Crouch - creative writing workshop
• jackie Morris - illustrator
• Taffy Thomas
• Helen Watts
• Lou Kuenzler
• Alex T Smith
• Joanna Harrison - illustrator
• Paula Harrison
• Liz Fenwick and Sharon Walpole

Our annual Creative Writing Workshop in 2013
Each year we run creative writing workshops for young people. Our workshop author in 2013 was Julia Crouch.

What They Say:

‘For 2 years now, pupils from Stratford Schools have had the benefit of being a part of the literary festival performance project.  Pupils benefit from learning about story construction from a published author.  They are all encouraged to contribute towards the story so that the piece is truly a work of the group.  Pupils then have the wonderful chance to perform this in front of a large audience with peers from other schools.  The appreciation from the audience for their work gives a wonderful confidence boost to the children and validates that they can produce a fabulous piece of literature by working together.  It is definitely a highlight of the calendar.’
Amanda Dale
Cluster Coordinator
Stratford upon Avon Schools

‘With the new and strong emphasis on Literacy, particularly the development of reading and writing in the new Ofsted framework, it is more important than ever before to link with great events such as the Stratford Literary Festival. This link gives schools opportunities that would not normally be available in the school curriculum. The children are able to take their literacy learning in an entirely different direction,  working with professional poets and authors and also performing their work in a theatrical setting. The link with the Stratford Literary Festival is one of the most important and vital aspects of the school curriculum.’
Steve Blackman
Head, Bridgetown Primary School
Stratford upon Avon

If you would like your school to be involved next year and you would like an author visit or workshop, please contact us on 01789 470185.

Our education programme was generously supported in 2013 by a grant from The Stratford Town Trust.