Stimulating Minds

Recently a coalition of leading artists, entrepreneurs and educationalists including Sir Patrick Stewart and filmmaker Lord David Puttnam wrote to the Observer.

They were concerned that creativity in schoolchildren is at risk of being stifled by the Government’s education policies.

They argued that the skills of the next generation need to be nurtured to ensure that the UK’s strong creative industries continue to create jobs. With the recent introduction of the E-Bac reducing options for GCSE students, music and art are already receiving a lower priority in schools. And, with more budget cuts coming for many schools, they are seriously at risk.

When BookFest was conceived in 2006, working with schools was always a high priority. Our first Young Writers’ competition was championed by children’s writer and Wimbledon resident, Michelle Paver, who told how growing up by Wimbledon Common had planted the seed for her multi-million selling series Wolf Brother.

Bringing writers into schools to stimulate and excite young people about both reading and writing is an essential part of the festival’s work. It’s about encouraging young people to use language as a tool for self-expression. These skills can lead on to so many careers, not just as novelists but as screenwriters, journalists and musicians.

This year we’re turning to both the Olympics and Dickens for inspiration, with Animal Olympics and Great Expectations themed competitions. BookFest has teamed up with international publisher Collins and will be running a competition for Merton independent and state schools throughout January and February. Children aged 9-11 will be encouraged to write an Animal Olympics themed story or poem that will be read by younger readers. The Collins Big Cat brand has a great heritage with authors such as Michael Rosen, Ian Whybrow and children’s laureate Julia Donaldson all in its stable. A Merton schoolchild will now have their work illustrated and published by this publishing giant. The Great Expectations competition will be launched on World Book Day - 1 March - and will be open to all Merton schools.

For more on Wimbledon BookFest’s education programme visit www.wimbledonbookfest.org