Whilst children’s enthusiasm is stirred by the magic brew of fun, inspiration and challenge at the heart of Bookfest’s projects, interest from Higher Education is now being expressed in the factors underpinning such high quality engagement.

The forthcoming release of an evaluative study by the University of Worcester into the impact of the project, Readers to Writers, presents evidence of when children are inspired to write and have the freedom to exercise authorial choice, they are more likely to demonstrate a positive attitude towards writing.

In addition, there is evidence to suggest that their own perceptions of themselves as writers are more confident.

Engagement with this project, according to teachers, was pivotal in this transformation and contributed widely to the enjoyment of writing for both teachers and pupils. In particular, they were overwhelmingly positive about the involvement of authors recognised by pupils and who worked alongside schools.

Pupils and teachers from 10 of the primary schools who took part in Readers to Writers 2023 participated in this study.  This was an opportunity, one that has never been available to schools in Shropshire before, for schools to showcase the value they place on the pupils’ attitudes on writing for pleasure. 

The University of Worcester engages in a wide range of research which seeks to provide greater understanding of the world around us, to contribute to improved human health and well-being and to provide answers to social, economic and environmental problems.

The full details of this unique research will be published in the coming weeks. Please contact us here if you would like to know more about this exciting piece of research and about Shropshire Bookfest’s projects.