The Blog
Story writing classes for kids
Does your child love to write stories? Writing stories can help children in so many ways. It not only improves literacy skills but also boosts creativity and imagination. Story writing helps build emotional intelligence and empathy by allowing children to understand...
Creative writing classes for teens
Creative writing is a pastime that should not cease once your child becomes a teen. I am often asked if I do classes for older children and the answer is yes, I do. The Young Writers group was specially set up with older children in mind. My thinking at the time was,...
Sevenoaks School Entry at 11+
Are you interested in Sevenoaks School as a secondary school option? Sevenoaks School is a co-ed independent school founded in 1432. If you’re looking for secondary schools near Sevenoaks and thinking of applying to Sevenoaks School, you should be aware that you must...
How to encourage your children to read more
I was on a train to London the other day and didn’t have a seat. As I stood near the door, I looked around the carriage and something struck me. Apart from a couple of people reading a newspaper, everyone else was on a device. Some were watching videos, others...
Writing Club for Teens and Tweens
Do you have a teen or tween who loves writing? The Young Writers Club is a writing club aimed at children aged 12 years and above. This relaxed, grown-up style writing group brings together like-minded souls who want to foster their love of creative writing in a...
11+ Revision and Story Writing
I’ve had a busy summer here at Storymakers, and I can’t quite believe how quickly it’s gone.Many people have booked extra 1:1 sessions to help prepare for the 11+ exam. Although not every county in the UK has grammar schools, lots of them do and the 11+ is a big deal...
5 ways to get kids writing for fun
The 2022 National Literacy Trust survey of children and young people’s writing habits once again revealed disappointing results. According to this survey, it is not common for kids to engage in writing for the sheer fun of it. Writing is not a leisure activity that...
Descriptive writing in easy steps
Follow these easy steps to learn how to write descriptive pieces using a photo as a prompt.
Does my child need to be a reader in order to be a good writer?
Being a good reader is a hugely beneficial and important skill for children. How does it help with writing, though? Reading helps with:IdeasUnderstanding story structureSeeing how writers use language in storytelling The more children read, the more likely they’ll use...
Poems on the theme of loneliness
The inspiration for this post came from the poems, The Loner by Julie Holder and The New Boy by John Walsh. This is an ideal exercise for KS3 (ages 11-13). The first is about a boy who always stands by the wall in the school playground and never joins in. He’s reached...
Book anthology in aid of Ukrainian refugees
I've partnered with book publisher, Saronti, to bring together a collection of stories written for children by children. It's called Sunflowers and Nightingales and all the proceeds from the sales will go to charities, such as War Child and Four Paws, helping the...
How to create a reading culture within your school.
As an author, I regularly visit schools to deliver creative writing workshops. What I’ve noticed, is that it's obvious when there’s a strong reading culture within the school. It’s not only that there are books, and references to books, everywhere you look, but there...