MK Schools Lit Fest

Thornton College hosted the first evet MK Schools Lit Fest on 8th October 2024! Hundreds of students from various infant, primary and secondary schools visited Thornton to meet amazing authors, Adam Connors, Bex Hogan, Imogen Robertson and Lizzie Waterworth.

Visiting schools included Thornborough Infant, Swallowfield Primary, St Gregory’s Catholic School, St Monica’s Catholic School, St Pauls Secondary School and Oakgrove Secondary. Students enjoyed a day of literary joy.

Aims

The aim of this partnership was to encourage a love of books and literary joy to as many students as possible in the Milton Keynes area by introducing them to the world of writing, editing and publishing and all the difference careers involved in producing books!

The team identified that there is no literary event for schools in MK to attend?

Critical factors for success include the number of students who attend, the quality of visiting authors, the enjoyment / excitement of students attending.

Students of Thornton College and visiting schools benefit equally immediately.

Background

This partnership came about through a parent of Thornton College making connections with the Careers Lead at Thornton College to discuss the various careers in the publication of books.

A parent, links with Waterstones and authors identified the opportunity and together organised a day of literary joy for hundreds of students!

This is the first year.

Resources

Resources

Contacts with editor / publishers and retails such as Waterstones.

Venue that will host the event at no cost.

Graphic Design and Print of materials such as media banner, author banners, bookmarks, literature including costs.

Photographer (in-house marketing department) or external.

In house marketing team who has contacts with editors and can manage social media and media releases.

Careers Lead or member of school staff that will spend time resource of building relationships with publishers, editors, retailers, local schools to secure engagement and offering.

School facilities

We used our sports hall to host workshops, library for bookmark and books signing, our drawing Room for media photos and quotes and our Conference room for welcoming guest authors and for lunch.

This event used both teaching and non teaching staff. Teaching staff attended workshops with their classes and helped with ushering authors and visitors as did non teaching staff. The in house marketing team provided all press and photographic support pre, during and post event.

Impact

Over 100 local state school students attended the event.

In verbal feedback visiting students said how excited they were to come to the event and also how much they enjoyed it.

We have received positive feedback from partners, authors and editors.

There has been good engagement on social media and pick up of media releases.

The event has helped to develop partnership links with other schools.

Reflecting on the day author Bex Hogan said, “What an engaged and enthusiastic group of kids that were a delight to talk with. I think it is wonderful to bring in and include so many children from the area of MK who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to hear an author. An incredible experience!”.

Visiting author Lizzie Waterworth said, “I had a fantastic day at Thornton College presenting to students from different schools in Milton Keynes, and signing copies of my book “How to Talk so People Will Listen”. The students asked lots of excellent questions and it was wonderful to hear them having fun experiment with their own voices whilst learning skills to feel more confident, and finding ways to get rid of that pesky inner voice called “Whatif”. I very much look forward to returning”.

Following his workshop author Adam Connors said the MK Schools Lit Fest was “a beautiful event at a beautiful school with incredibly engaging and intelligent students”.

Author Imogen Robertson said, “I am delighted to meet all the students and excited to be part of such a fun day”.

Students genuinely enjoyed meeting authors, asking lots of questions and of course getting books and bookmarks signed!

Dr Shaw, Head Teacher at Thornton College said “WOW what an incredible day. It has been a genuine joy to welcome students and teachers from other schools to Thornton. Having met all the authors at lunchtime and listened to students who have attended workshops I am in no doubt that today will have inspired future writers, editors and authors!”

This inaugural Mk Schools Lit Fest has been an outcome of partnership and collaboration - working with the MK Lit Fest team, authors, publishers, Waterstones and Thornton College; a day that everyone involved hopes will become an annual event.