Readers to Writers is run every two years, in alternate years to Book Award.
Readers to Writers is an eight-month long project taking place between November and June and is aimed at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin primary schools. Drawing on the unique skills, experience and insight of children’s authors, who deliver special writing workshops to each class taking part, the project focuses on helping teachers support children in the classroom with their creative writing skills. By the end of the project, every pupil will have written their very own book! Everyone is encouraged to enter their book into a Shropshire-wide creative writing competition.
If you would like more information on how your school can take part, please get in touch with the Bookfest team here
Researchers from The University of Worcester spent 10 months working alongside primary schools in Shropshire as they took part in this project in 2023. One of the key findings from this study was “levels of engagement with the writing process increased and pupils were more likely to choose to write for pleasure than prior to their participation in the project.”
Bookfest was invited to join The Teacher Squad Podcast in March 2024 to showcase the Readers to Writers project and the research study by the University of Worcester.
Together with Suzanne Horton from the University of Worcester, Bookfest discusses the outcomes of the research study by the university into the impact of the Readers to Writers project and how it has left an ongoing positive legacy for all participants.
Primary schools across Shropshire book onto the project.
This is a one day conference (CPD) for teachers from schools who have booked onto the project. Nationally renowned speakers deliver bespoke workshops especially tailored to this project to share ideas on the topic of creative writing in the classroom.
Books by the workshop authors and teacher support materials are delivered into schools (a book for EVERY pupil).
Teachers and children can begin to prepare for their author workshops in February and start honing their creative writing skills using the Project Resource Centre information on this page.
Leading children’s authors visit the schools to deliver bespoke creative writing workshops to launch children on their journeys to writing their very own books.
Pupils will hopefully be buzzing with inspiration following their creative writing workshops delivered by their author-mentors. Throughout the Spring Term 2025, they will set about writing their own stories, with the support of their teachers, author-mentors and the resources on our website. They have as much freedom as possible to create their own stories, of any genre and to illustrate and design their books to look like something they might find in their local library or bookshop shelf. At the end of the project, pupils will enter their books in our Shropshire-wide creative writing competition.
The children have loved writing their own books, and have gone from a class who weren’t particularly interested in story writing, to actually asking to write another book during the holidays! They have progressed so much as writers in a short space of time, so thank you for giving them opportunity to find a love of writing! Clare Pearce – SHS Prep Department
From ALL, the judges will choose a winner from each of the primary schools and from these the top stories: 1st – 3rd in KS1, Lower KS2 (aged 7-9) and Upper KS2 (9-11 years) will be narrated and filmed for you to watch and share.
Registered Charity Number: 1120177
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