Achievements
Since StoryMatters began in 2024, we have:
Regularly visited 21 different schools and community groups
Delivered workshops to over
3200
children across KS1 and KS2
Would like to take part in another workshop
Published 18 anthology books for participants to take their work home
Enjoyed taking part in the workshops
Entered 63 stories into the BBC’s 500 words short story competition
Felt that their writing had improved through taking part in a workshop
Felt that their enjoyment of writing for themselves had increased
Testimonials
“On a personal note, I would just like to say that my daughter thoroughly enjoyed attending your creative writing club. She has always been a keen writer but I really feel that your teaching gave her lots of new ideas that she could then apply readily and easily. As a parent, it was lovely to see her try her hand at so many varied activities and I appreciated the way you encouraged the children to embrace so many different literary forms and just 'play' with ideas, with no pressure to produce anything perfect.”
— N.p.
Parent at Whitehorse manor junior school (london)“She is really enjoying your classes and getting a lot from them, so thanks very much.”
— d.g.
parent at rockmount primary school (london)“Thank you so much for coming in and completing the poetry workshops with our Year 1 and 2 children. The children were very motivated and excited to write and were very inspired. The sessions were engaging, well planned and adapted so that it was accessible for all. For many of our children, it was great for them to see a good male role model for writing as all our teaching staff are female.
Your passion and enthusiasm for poetry really shone and this was a huge factor in driving the children's enthusiasm to write. Staff and children found the sessions very engaging. The teachers were very impressed by the quality of the outcomes the children produced in the lessons and that every child felt success.
We are very grateful to you for sharing your talent and expertise with the children at Cypress Lower.”
— Miss c binks
head teacher at cypress primary school (london)“Many thanks for the workshop you held at Atwood - Oliver absolutely loved it!”
— j.c.
parent at atwood primary school (london)“Thank you very much for giving an amazing time to Mina at the writing club. She loved it so much and wrote so many stories at home too.”
— y.d.
parent at cypress primary school (london)“Feedback from teachers and children was really positive and our Year 2 and 3 classes really enjoyed their workshops. The opportunity to perform was a real highlight and some children were keen to read their poems to other members of staff after their sessions. Our Year 2 team felt there was a real 'buzz' in the classrooms and lots of laughter”
— Miss J sorensen
head teacher at ecclesbourne primary school (london)“Rosie has absolutely loved Mondays since she started poetry club. It has had a real impact on her which is lovely.”
— R.Y.
parent at ORCHARD WAY primary school (london)“Thanks again for the rap workshop today - was a lot of fun! Thanks again for all the time you have put into visiting our school and engaging children in all things writing!”
— Miss E Horgan
Teacher at Kelvin Grove primary school (london)“The poetry workshop was a fantastic experience for our Year 4 children. It was fun, engaging and captured the children's interest from start to finish, with all pupils remaining focused and enthusiastic throughout. Activities were carefully adapted to cater for all abilities, ensuring every child could participate successfully. Even those who usually find writing challenging produced some of their best work and showed great creativity and confidence. The workshop created a real buzz around writing, and all of the children were incredibly proud of their poems, eagerly sharing their ideas and finished pieces with others. It was a highly enjoyable and inspiring experience for everyone involved.”
— Miss m stewart
Teacher at cypress primary school (london)“The children have loved it!”
— miss l o'brien
club administrator at ORCHARD WAY primary school (london)“Thank you so much for Friday. It was truly fantastic. You were absolutely brilliant with the children, and it was so lovely to see how completely engaged and inspired they were by you. You have such a wonderful way of connecting with them, and it was a real pleasure to watch you in action too.”
— miss A Fleet
teacher at archbishop benson primary school (truro)