From an author accompanied by a Shetland pony to ex-professional sportsmen, the Isle of Wight Literary Festival Schools’ Programme had all the bases covered in its biggest programme yet.
A total of 27 authors visited almost every school on the Island last week to deliver 100 sessions to over 6,000 pupils aged from five to 18.
Boosting literacy on the Island
The programme exists as part of efforts to increase a love of reading and improve literacy levels among Island pupils.
Literacy rates on the Island are the lowest in the country according to the National Literacy Trust and experts believe that author visits can make a significant difference.
Authors and sportsmen in the classroom
Best-selling authors including Hannah Gold, Maz Evans, Thomas Taylor, Darren Simpson, Fidan Meikle and Lottie Saahko were among the team visiting primary schools.
Ex- professional rugby player Ben Mercer, ex-professional Southampton FC player Francis Benali and award-winning Liz Hyder were part of the team visiting secondary schools.
Funding the programme
Thanks to funding from the main IW Literary Festival, a substantial public donation and grants from WightAid, the Daisie Rich Trust, Ryde School, and town and parish councils, the Schools’ Programme goes from strength to strength,
Teddy the Shetland pony visits East Cowes
One of the most unusual sessions saw author Alice Goring take Teddy, the Shetland pony hero of Teddy Goes to London, into Holy Cross RC and Queensgate primary schools in East Cowes, where pupils had the chance to give him a stroke and hear about his adventures.
Screenwriting workshop at Christ the King
And former Medina High School pupil Dominic Minghella, who has gone on to write for film and TV series including Doc Martin, Robin Hood and Hamish Macbeth, visited Christ the King College to run a workshop with sixth formers from several Island schools and colleges.
Dominic said,
“It was really inspiring to see how dedicated and energised the Island’s upcoming writers were when we met thanks to the Literary Festival’s brilliant Schools’ Programme.
“I wish there had been something like this back in the 1980s, when I was a lad at Medina High. It was an absolute honour to discuss the business of writing with such thoughtful and knowledgeable students.
“I hope I inspired them nearly as much as they inspired me!”
Sarah Leahy, head of film and media studies at Christ the King, said,
“It was a real privilege to host the screenwriting workshop with Dominic.
“He shared lots of useful tips for the aspiring young writers, as well as some very funny anecdotes along the way.
“Students had the opportunity to see the development from screenplay to the finished product and had some really insightful questions and comments.”
Reaching 6,000 young people in the Year of Reading
Dawn Haig-Thomas, Schools’ Programme Lead, said,
“Thanks to our incredibly generous sponsors, this extensive and thrilling programme is able to be delivered.
“One hundred sessions were delivered over two days, reaching an estimated 6,000 young people in this, the Year of Reading.”
News shared by Alan on behalf of Isle of Wight Literary Festival. Ed
