Writers in Schools Research Programme, 2006-2009
This project set out to explore and monitor the effectiveness of writers working in schools in a variety of ways, over a 3-year period. It had become increasingly clear that, despite the wealth of informal feedback regarding the success of writers’ residencies in schools, potential funders are reluctant to commit support without hard evidence in the form of statistics charting pupils’ development as writers and readers.
The project involved the placement of writers in nine schools over nine academic terms across three English regions (North, Midlands and South) between September 2006 and July 2009. The design and development of the project stemmed from a series of values which are described as follows:
- that the process of 'writing well' fundamentally matters for the emotional, intellectual and social wellbeing of its exponents;
- that the ability of a writer to share their craft is a creative act in its own right for the writer;
- that writers, teachers and pupils enter the process as equals, with all partners participating as learners and co-constructors of knowledge and skill;
- that the project starts from a basis of recognizing and celebrating diversity, and not simply promoting 'one-size-fits-all' standardized models of uniform practice.
The Project was Managed by Liz Fincham and the Research undertaken by Nick Owen, both reporting to Paul Munden as NAWE Director. An Advisory Group included Sue Horner, Maurice Galton, Richard Andrews and Teresa Cremin.
A full report on the project is currently being prepared.
