23 Jan 2025

Year 7–9 Academic Scholars Creative Writing Session

A fun creative writing session.

This week’s academic scholars’ class for Years 7 to 9 focused on creative writing and was entitled ‘Making Every Word Count’.

Being able to write creatively is a vital skill, whether it’s in school or for future careers, as well as being hugely rewarding, said Emma Low, Academic Scholars and Oxbridge Coordinator.

Students were shown an image of an old ship in a storm and were asked to write a complex, multi-clause sentence that includes similes and personification. They then swapped iPads with the person sitting next to them and changed or added one word to improve it.

Having been given some creative writing tips, students were tasked with writing the beginning of a story, based on an image of someone running away from something through a dark forest. It could include characterisation, action, a statement, a question and description of a setting. Students then entertained each other by reading out their story openings.

“I was hugely impressed by the quality of writing and the scope of creativity that students displayed,” said Emma. “They understood that the most successful story openings prompt questions and contain an element of mystery.”

Students were also reminded about the independent research projects that they will soon be starting and that could select any topic they liked.

Finally, Emma discussed the upcoming trip to the Supreme Court on the 5th February. Alison Thomas, Head of History and Politics, has kindly agreed to explain the role of the court in the scholars’ next session so they can be fully prepared for the trip.