Scholastic UK is delighted to announce an exciting new way for teachers and pupils to celebrate writing for pleasure. We Are Writers! is the perfect opportunity for schools to publish their own individual book that celebrates every child’s writing and boosts literacy skills at the same time. The initiative is open to primary and secondary schools, as well as literacy organisations.

The scope for each individual project is vast and teachers are able to link it to curriculum work if they choose. The book is created using a secure and easy-to-use website, www.wearewriters.com, which comes with helpful tips and information, as well as teacher resources that help to support writing in the classroom. The project also encourages discussion and knowledge of genres as pupils are able to publish their work in a range of text-types, from fiction to recipes.

It is free to take part in We Are Writers!; every school that uploads their stories receives one copy of their own book, complete with their chosen picture on the front cover. They also receive 5 promotional posters that are personalised to the school and help to advertise the book’s arrival.

Claire Dowse, Director of We Are Writers! at Scholastic says, "This is the perfect way to excite everyone about writing. It is an all inclusive project and motivates the most reluctant writers, while still challenging the more able. It is a fun and rewarding activity that brings everyone together. Improving writing is a priority for many schools and We Are Writers! gives pupils a powerful purpose and a positive attitude towards writing."

Successfully trialled with 243 schools last year, the types of writing in the books that were produced were wide-ranging and often included stories, poems, factual pieces and letters. The subject matter was also very varied; sometimes humorous, regularly adventure based, frequently scary and often moving. Sometimes children only wrote one or two lines, others a few pages. We Are Writers! has also proved a good motivator for boys and has been as popular with them as with girls. Simon Jackson-Twist, Literacy Coordinator, West Kirby Residential School says, "This project has been a fantastic success. To see their work in print has done wonders for the pupil’s self esteem."

David Wray, Deputy Director and Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Warwick echoes this: "There is nothing more motivating to a writer than finally seeing in print that work you’ve slaved over so hard. Even well-published writers get a real lift when their work is published, and, for children, the experience of seeing their writing in a ‘real book’ can be the key to them seeing themselves as 'real writers'."

As well as encouraging writing, We Are Writers! can also be used as a fundraiser for schools. Each book costs £5 but can be sold to parents at a higher price, for example £6.99, making the school £1.99 per copy which can go straight into school funds. The initiative can also be combined with a Scholastic Book Fair and used to earn commission in books too.

About Scholastic UK Ltd:
Scholastic UK Ltd (www.scholastic.co.uk) is part of Scholastic Inc, the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the world and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic UK Ltd has four divisions: Scholastic Book Clubs, Scholastic Book Fairs, Scholastic Children's Books and Scholastic Education.

As a distributor of children's books through Scholastic Book Clubs and Fairs, Scholastic is the biggest children's specialist bookseller in the UK and Ireland. It has unparalleled reach to children through schools, increasing opportunities for reading and book ownership for children in the UK and Ireland and donating two million books to schools last year.

Scholastic Children's Books publishes a wide range of books for all ages, including best-sellers and award-winners such as the Horrible Histories series and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, the Baby Einstein books and Klutz's innovative book and craft packs.

Scholastic Education is the UK's market-leading publisher of print and electronic resources for teachers. It offers professional and classroom support that meets teachers’ needs and provides them with inspiration for their lessons through its website; through its range of popular teacher magazines including Nursery Education PLUS, Child Education PLUS, and Junior Education PLUS; and through its teachers’ resource books including such best-selling titles as the 100s series.

Contacts:

Alyx Price
Scholastic
aprice@scholastic.co.uk
020 7756 7777

Sarah Sandland
Scholastic
ssandland@scholastic.co.uk
01926 333336