Beyond Words

2015-16

Annual Report

Participating in Beyond Words, helped Jack to grow in confidence, resilience and self-belief. It re-

energised his sense of self-worth and empowered him as a writer. Ultimately, it enabled him to

finally put pen to paper and begin to rekindle his love of literacy.

Libby McCune, parent

Beyond Words

Overview

The aims of Cheltenham Festivals’ 2014-17 Education Strategy are to unlock talent, enrich lives and illuminate career opportunities for young people in Gloucestershire and beyond. It does this through providing opportunities both at the four Festivals and also through targeted year-round programmes linked to literature, music and science. Beyond Words is one of these year-round programmes and is funded for three years by St. James’s Place Foundation. It is designed to increase the wellbeing, confidence, and literacy levels of 14-16 year olds in Gloucestershire who are medically too unwell to attend school due to either physical or mental health needs. In collaboration with Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service (GHES), Cheltenham Festivals

invited acclaimed writer Sue Mayfield to be writer-in-residence for the project. Sue has written eight

novels for young adults as well as two non-fiction books. Originally a teacher, and now a professional

counsellor, Sue facilitates other people’s writing in a wide range of settings.

10 students worked face-to-face with the writer through three extended writing sessions in inspiring venues. A further cohort accessed tailor-made workshops via the GHES digital learning platform, supported 1-to-1 by GHES teachers. A one-off workshop at Gloucester Royal Hospital also enabled those students who are in hospital to work with the writer. The students were involved throughout: they were encouraged to draw on their own life experiences in their writing; they decided which of their pieces to publish; they identified the theme and selected the art work for the front cover; they chose the chapter headings, planned the launch event and even saw the Anthology coming off the printer. The project culminates in a showcase event at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2016.

Outcomes

For students to:

Increase confidence, imagination and aspirations

Improve writing skills and use of vocabulary for clarity and expression

Improve engagement with education

Write for pleasure

Experience improved health and wellbeing For GHES to:

Increase the value they place on and the impact they gain from creative writing e.g. embedding some of the teaching techniques

Raise GHES profile nationally and within the community

Milestones

Workshops

Sue Mayfield worked with two groups of students, one in the autumn term and one in the spring

term. They met 4 times in inspirational spaces for 3-hour workshops. This worked better for the

students who found it easier to commit to fewer, longer workshops over a shorter period.

Some had undertaken long journeys to get to the venues. Some were in considerable discomfort.

Some were anxious about being in a new place.

Working intensively over a period provided continuity and enabled trust to grow. The students

developed in confidence and skill each session, and the writer was able to tailor the sessions to

particular interests and needs.

Writing exercises often began with an outside stimulus – a photograph, a texture, an object held in

the hand. Flurries of word-gathering were followed by bursts of silent writing. The students were

encouraged to read their work aloud and to give and receive feedback.

It’s the opportunity to really express yourself fully. Emotionally and creatively. I definitely achieved way over what I expected. Isaac Lawrence

The workshops enabled the students, who would normally be taught in their own homes with

support from the GHES team on a 1-1 basis, to work in a positive group setting away from their

homes as a first step towards reintegration back to school.

The whole experience has been incredible. The people/students have been so supportive and enthusiastic. I was thrown by how organised it has been yet how comfortable the atmosphere was. Madison Davies

Digital workshops

The workshops were re-created for the GHES virtual learning environment (VLE) to enable access for

the students unable to attend the workshops in person. This coincided with the launch of the VLE for

GHES. It provided an inspirational incentive for GHES teachers to learn how to use the new digital

facility.

We added in a training session for the 30 GHES teachers working 1-1 with students in their homes.

The training covered both the technological knowledge and creative writing techniques required for

the teachers to support the students with the programme through the virtual learning environment.

The teachers reported that they had the knowledge, skills and inspiration to enable students to

participate in the project via the digital platform as a result of the training.

The workshops are still available on the VLE for students to enjoy in the future and there is good

awareness of its availability among staff. The VLE is now well embedded into their teaching as they

are using it for delivery of the Wellbeing curriculum, so all teachers and students are familiar with it.

They are confident that it will play an even bigger part next year. Next year we hope to include live

online teaching into the programme.

I am very excited. It feels like the start of something that could transform our work.

Anna Webster, GHES teacher

University of Gloucestershire Collaboration

The University of Gloucestershire Illustration undergraduates responded to the GHES students’ brief

to create the art work for the front cover.

The students visited the University to see the students’ designs and to select their favourites.

All of the students reported that the experience helped them to understand the book design process

better and one student stated that it made them more likely to consider applying for university.

Printer visit

Some of the students were able to come with their parents to the see their Anthology hot off the

press!

It was thrilling both for the parents and the students.

Book Launch

The Anthology was launched at an exclusive event at our local bookshop, The Suffolk Anthology. It was attended by the students, their parents, CF and GHES staff and specially invited guests.

In addition to speeches from Cheltenham Festivals and GHES, the students read their favourite pieces.

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival

The evening was a truly moving occasion and one which Pete and I could not have dared to think

would have been possible for Jack to attend yet alone participate in some two and a half years

ago…Participating in Beyond Words, helped Jack to grow in confidence, resilience and self-

belief. It re-energised his sense of self-worth and empowered him as a writer. Ultimately, it

enabled him to finally put pen to paper and begin to rekindle his love of literacy. No words can

express the sense of admiration and pride Pete and I have for Jack and all the other talented

young authors who worked so hard to produce this unique collection of inspirational

writings. Thank you for championing their cause.

Libby McCune, parent

A public event to showcase the students’ achievements will take place at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on Friday 7 October. After a rousing opening performance from the acclaimed Young Adult writer Juno Dawson, students will read from their Anthologies to a public audience including students, parents, sponsors and patrons.

Impact Against Outcomes

a) Increase students’ confidence, imagination and aspirations

100% of students and 78% of parents stated that the students’ confidence increased as a result of

the project.

88% of students and 78% of parents stated the students’ imagination increased.

100% of students and 100% of parents reported that the project increased the students’ aspirations.

b) Improve students’ writing skills and use of vocabulary for clarity and expression

100% of students agreed (63% agreed strongly) that the quality of their writing had increased

through the project. 78% of parents concurred.

c) Improve students’ engagement with education

Four students have integrated back into mainstream school since the project started, and the

students noted that the workshops helped with this process.

Other students and parents reported the importance of the social aspect of the project

Madison has realised through Beyond Words that her creativity can flow also through words as

well as illustrations. A happy time!

Lindsey Davies, parent

You take more away than you put in. It boosts everyone. It was not just about a session – it was

more homely.

Isaac Lawrence, student

Beyond Words came along at a time when my son was VERY low. It was the first thing he had

engaged with in a very long time. A little light in the darkness!! THANK YOU!!

Loraine Trowers, parent

It’s positive, constructive, it’s all about improving – yourself and your work.

Isaac Lawrence, student

It’s been a once in a life time opportunity. It has meant the world to take away new skills and friends.

Madison Davies, student

d) Students write for pleasure

63% of students stated that Beyond Words had increased their love of writing.

e) Students experience improved health and wellbeing

Analysis of the student’s evaluation of their mental wellbeing before and after each session

demonstrated that the workshops consistently had a positive impact on students’ sense of

relaxation, confidence, cheerfulness and feeling good about themselves in Block 1, and ability to

think clearly in Block 2.

They have benefitted from bouncing ideas off other teenagers, rather than just me. It’s really

healthy.

Libby McCune, parent

It’s improved my social skills and my independent work. If feel more comfortable with people now.

Alex Gould, student

I have only just begun writing my own stories and I really enjoy doing it because it allows me to

express my own ideas and imagination.

Jack McCune, student

We’ve found a joy in English. Before we thought it was just writing essays, but we’ve found out

that you can express yourself – be free, more adventurous

Sophie Ghods and Madison Davies, students

I’m on the winning front of my battle with depression and these writing workshops have

broadened my horizons and opened up so many opportunities for my writing and my enthusiasm.

Isaac Lawrence

Rebecca would not otherwise have left the house, Beyond Words was a life saver. She looked

forward to each and every session and as a parent I saw her lifted in spirit, which was amazing to

see in a horridly difficult time.

Sharron Smith, parent

f) Increase the value that GHES place on and the impact they gain from creative writing

100% of the 16 GHES teachers who attended the creative writing training session said that they are

now inspired to support students with creative writing. GHES are arranging for further sessions to

support their teachers in facilitating creative writing as a direct result of the project.

In an email following the training, GHES English Lead Kathy Heathfield wrote:

On Monday of this week, I had my annual lesson observation which was carried out by my line

manager, Wendy. We were working on the planning and preparation for a GCSE coursework piece,

rather deliciously entitled: 'Write a create piece inspired by a colour.'

We looked at the task, what it means to write creatively and so in, and at the appropriate stage in

the lesson, I set Wendy (line manager), student and myself off on a 10 mins writing task. Wendy's

piece of writing was superb (as was the student's) but she accredited it to the CPD and said how she

couldn't have engaged in the task at all if she hadn't been on the Beyond a Words CPD session. She

felt that it had been hugely empowering.

This was a staff member who's comment (she won't mind me saying) as she walked in was, 'I'm not

writing anything!'

Suffice if to say, I thought it would be an encouragement to acknowledge just how far-reaching this

project is proving to be. Not only have the students loved it, staff have loved it - but the benefits are

unravelling daily!

g) Raise GHES’s profile nationally and within the community

GHES are finalists in the TES Alternative Provision School of the Year. Beyond Words formed part of

their application form.

The benefits of this project have been immense, and in some cases life-changing.

Annalise Price-Thomas, Head of Service for Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service

Key Learning and Future Developments

Funding is guaranteed for 3 years for Beyond Words, so we are able to plan for development

Students and parents appreciated having two inspirational venues for the workshops. Manor

by the Lake was expensive but we concluded that the added value it offered in terms of

inspiration made it worthwhile

The CPD session for GHES teachers was so successful that we will include this from the start

in subsequent years

The VLE element of the project could be more successful. Beyond Words represented the

first access to the VLE for the GHES teachers. Although the training session increased the

GHES teachers’ confidence in writing, the teachers need more support and practice to

encourage the students to access it more. We will plan for this for next year, and also

include live on-line teaching.

In 2016/17 the plan is to make the project multi-disciplinary, including photography, and to

embed the output more into the Literature Festival

Building on the link with the University of Gloucestershire, we will work with the

photography department. This will be embedded as part of the university students’

coursework, and will benefit the Beyond Words students in that they will receive an

extended photography workshop. There will be a physical exhibition/installation at the

Literature Festival 2017 which will raise the profile of the CF/GHES project and also enhance

the site vibe.

End Note 1

Brave young people

Reaching out;

Overcoming adversity

Keen to be heard.

Empowered and finding

New wings.

Being together –

Unified and

Triumphant.

Making words on a page sing.

Educating us all –

Never giving up.

Diverse

Individual

New collaboration.

Growing in confidence.

Kathy Heathfield, English Lead, GHES

End Note 2

I think Beyond Words is such a valuable project. Just because a young person is sick, or can't attend

school, doesn't mean they aren't phenomenally talented and this gives them a platform to express

themselves creatively.

Juno Dawson, multi award-winning author

Cheltenham Literature Festival is so much more than ten days in October. Beyond Words is

particularly exciting because it brings the joy of writing to young people who miss out on

opportunities like these normally. I hope the students are justifiably proud to see their writing in

print.

Andrew Holgate, Literary Editor, The Sunday Times

Beyond Words gives a voice to young people with mental or physical illness who struggle to attend

school. Immerse yourself in their wonderful words and learn about yourself. These young people are

resilient and amazing and have important things to say. Beware - you will be moved.

Professor Tanya Byron, psychologist, author and broadcaster