Schools’ Programme
Every year more than 10,000 school children from schools across the borough of Merton and beyond attend events or take part in projects focused on literacy and run by Wimbledon BookFest.
Here’s a snapshot of activities schools can access as part of our Word Up! Schools’ Programme. To find out more email Laura Byrne at [email protected]
View our schools events1. Author Events
What better way to inspire a life-long love of reading than to give children the chance to see and hear first hand from the writers who have brought the stories and characters to life?
Our Author Events are held in March and Autumn to celebrate World Book Day and the beginning of the new school term.
Click here to view the October 2023 school events.
World Book Day 2023’s children’s authors were Sir Lenny Henry, A.F. Steadman and Francesca Simon. They spoke to more than 1000 children from 23 Merton primary schools at a series of events at New Wimbledon Theatre.
Watch Sir Lenny sum up his World Book Day highlights in the video opposite.
Read full blog post here2. Writing Workshops
Caroline Lawrence is a best-selling author whose series The Roman Mysteries is packed with adventures, heroes and quests. She’s also written a brilliant handbook for aspiring young authors called How to Write a Great Story.
In a specially created workshop for schools Caroline highlights seven brilliant tips to help young writers shape their story. In a one hour talk Caroline provide examples, prompts and exercises that will kick start young imaginations.
Contact Laura Byrne at [email protected] to find out about school visits or stream Caroline’s writing workshop delivered at Wimbledon Bookfest in the video opposite.
3. Young Writers’ Competition
Wimbledon BookFest’s Young Writers’ Competition is open to all schools across south London and Surrey. Children have 500 words to shape a poem or story on a theme set by us.
Every child that is shortlisted by their school will receive a certificate. Competition winners will be invited to a prize giving, receive a goodie bag of books and have their work published in Wimbledon BookFest’s Anthology of Stories and Poems. One overall winner will win an iPad.
Our 2021 competition theme was ‘My Name is…’ The overall winner was Jonathan Esenga of Raynes Park High School.
Watch poet Sophia Thakar read Jonathan’s poem ‘My Name is 2020’ here.
Learn more4. Sixth Form and Student Volunteering
Wimbledon BookFest volunteers help our small team make events happen! Work includes checking event tickets, stewarding families to their seats, assisting with book sales, helping authors with book signings or even being part of a student press team.
We particularly encourage sixth form students from local schools and students from the University of Roehampton to join us and get involved. To find out about opportunities, email Laura Byrne at [email protected]
Five benefits of being Wimbledon BookFest volunteer:
- Find out more about book trends and the publishing industry first-hand
- Get to listen to talks from authors you love for free
- Discover new writers
- Add a cool experience to your CV
- Get a bespoke BookFest tee-shirt for your wardrobe
5. Sixth Form Open Day at the University of Roehampton
Wimbledon BookFest is proud to have the University of Roehampton as its principal education partner. As well as student volunteers, the University’s academics facilitate and speak at workshops and festival panels.
Working with the University’s outreach team, Wimbledon BookFest also organise sixth form open days that happen in the summer term focused on the needs of students in Year 11-13 exploring options and further education opportunities.
Check our School Events Calendar or email Laura Byrne at [email protected] to find our more, or watch our Open Minds Sixth Form event featuring taster talks from lecturers and tips on how to shape your UCAS applications.
Donate to support events for schools here!
Every year the Festival enables over 10,000 school children from 100+ London schools to take part in projects run by Wimbledon BookFest focused on literacy. If you’d like to support our work, you can donate below.
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Events for Schools
Author Talks – Library
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