Writing Together

Writing together is a national programme to encourage writers in schools.

Having a writer in school is inspiring and exciting for pupils and teachers, encourages pupils to write and see writing as worthwhile, supports the teaching of both writing and reading.

In Cornwall, Plymouth and Devon, KEAP in partnership with Apples and Snakes, has developed a writer teacher network which has been supported by Writing Together.  In the first phase 6 teachers were paired with 6 writers, poets, playwrights and novelists.  We began the programme with a residential of 2 days at Totleigh Barton, part of the Arvon Foundation, in North Devon, where we wrote for 2 days.  Out of that grew the mentoring; each teacher had 10 hours mentoring for their own work as a writer or to support their creative writing work in school.  We also ran 2 masterclasses over the period for everyone in writing for the theatre and performance poetry.  This has been an electric meeting of minds.  Time constraints aside, but not minimised,  this opportunity has changed people’s lives and created a far greater understanding of the how a writer can impact on children’s writing in school and also a greater understanding on the writers’ side of the versatility and creativity of teachers.

We have now received funding for a second phase with 6 more teachers and writers.  We all met together in June at TR2 in Plymouth for plotting and workshops, and return to Totleigh Barton in December.

Nature Poem
Grey Stone, why are you so cold?
I have been buried outside.
Soft, rubbery leaf,
Why are you so green?
I flew in the sky,
I fell down into green water.

Kaellum & Brandon aged 5
Carclaze Infant School
Teacher Ann Gray
Writer  Phil Bowen

“Looking back over the last few months, what I will remember most are the new friends I’ve made and the confidence they have given me to go for it and write”
Jackie Mathews, teacher Mullion School
Link to www.booktrust.org.uk/writingtogether