TAKING THE PLUNGE

This programme offers a unique chance to shadow a writing residency, and observe a writer at work in various classroom settings. This project will take place in the North West of England - primarily Liverpool and Salford - so would ideally suit writers within travelling distance of the project. The residency will allow trainee writers to shadow work in primary and secondary schools as well as a project in partnership with The Grosvenor Museum in Chester.

Each participant will have the chance to attend 3 workshops and 4 days of work in situ with the poet Mandy Coe, a highly experienced writer who has worked in schools throughout her career.

NAWE is offering 4 traineeships for writers wishing to work in these settings. The overall aim of the course is to enable writers to develop a good range of skills to work in primary and secondary schools. The traineeships are aimed at writers who are inexperienced in running workshops in an educational setting. The focus of the training will include working with young people in schools who do not see themselves as active readers/writers - schools in education action zones, inner city areas, etc.

Feedback from one of the previous year's trainees: 'I think this course is wonderful. I would not have dared go into schools without it. I think this school thing is going to be one of, if not the most rewarding part of my career so far. I want to congratulate those who conceived it and saw it through.'

If you wish to take part in Taking the Plunge, please contact me (Anne Caldwell, NAWE training manager) as soon as possible as the scheme begins in January 2005. It will still be possible to accommodate a late booking.

Fee: NAWE members £165; non members £200


INVESTING IN YOURSELF

An on-line or face to face mentoring scheme for writers working in educational fields. The aim of this scheme is for writers to benefit from support and inspiration from another writer with more experience of working in an educational context. Feedback from previous participants has highlighted the confidence boosting and skills that can be passed on in this way.

This scheme will offer a six month period of mentoring from February 2005 - June 2005. The mentees will be matched with an appropriate mentor for their interests and be able to communicate by either three face to face meetings or by email, telephone conference and telephone during the period.

Cost: members £85; non members £110

To apply, please send a letter of application saying what you want to get out of the relevant scheme, and a CV.

The final application deadline for both schemes is 31st January 2005.