Arts charity Cheltenham Festivals has announced the 2023 line-up for a dynamic and exciting Literature For Schools programme, which will create spaces in which children can explore the power of literature and ignite their imaginations and curiosity. 

Part of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, the Literature for Schools programme brings together young readers with the outstanding children’s authors, illustrators and poets of our time, in interactive, engaging and thought-provoking events and workshops.  

Inspiring Programme 

For primary children, former children's laureate Michael Rosen performs stories and poems with Key Stage 1 readers, Anna James brings storybook characters to life, Dapo Adeola shows the magic of illustration, Varsha Shah shares tips on writing adventures and Joshua Seigal leads an interactive word-play session. For secondary-age students, Manjeet Mann discusses turning her novel Run Rebel into a play, A. F. Steadman invites young readers into the unique worlds of her stories, Tanya Landman delivers a much-requested talk on the gothic novel, and World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker shares his Unashamed poetry and a glimpse into the life of a poet on tour. 

Cheltenham Festivals’ Family and Schools Programme Manager, Loraine Evans said: “The Literature for Schools programme is curated to enable students of every age to access books and writers in easy, engaging and exciting ways,” she says. “We connect authors with children to develop a life-long love of reading that we know has huge benefits for them now and later in life.” 

Over ninety schools attend the Literature for Schools programme every year, across fifty events – including four workshops that take place online ahead of the Festival and a Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils Conference which empowers and equips teachers to bring books to life in the classroom. A host of authors and literacy experts will contribute to a day of professional development centred on bringing the unparalleled power of reading into the lives of their students. 

Achieving Impact 

Research studies show that reading is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success and well-being, proving more influential than parents' level of education and socio-economic background yet reading for pleasure is decreasing each year particularly amongst disadvantaged children. 

Rebecca Smith, Cheltenham Festivals’ Learning and Participation Manager said: “Encouraging children to love reading is an important and urgent mission. We know that with so many other activities competing for children’s attention, reading for pleasure is in decline. We think this can and should change – and Literature for Schools is one of the ways Cheltenham Festivals is making a difference.” 

With priority booking and subsidised tickets available for schools serving disadvantaged communities and free storytelling events offered alongside the ticketed programme, the three Literature for Schools strands – Primary, Secondary and home-educated children – are focused on inspiring all students of every background. 

Diverse & Inclusive 

Students take to the stage for the culmination of the year-round Battle of the Books reading challenge to debate which of their chosen books will Change the World, and children from local special educational needs schools join author Tracey Corderoy in her Story Shop, while Tanya Landman’s Gothic Greats KS3 event will be BSL interpreted. 

“The Schools Programme is the heart of the Festival,” said Ali Mawle, co-CEO of the charity. “Seeing the joy and inspiration experienced by 9000 children coming face-to-face with todays’ writers brings hope for the future. Coming to the Festival can be a formative cultural experience for children more generally, especially for those who don’t normally get this kind of opportunity. We hope it will be the first of many.