Advanced Creative Writing Workshops
For young writers who want to develop skill, confidence and an individual voice.
A bit about us
Creative writing is an essential skill for HBS entry as well as for many 11+ grammar school and independent school examinations.
The Latymer School phenomenon is a very good measure of how effective our Creative Writing programme is. Latymer results are released in two stages. The first ranking combines the non-English subject scores, while the second ranking is issued after English writing is considered. Almost all of our pupils show a significant improvement in rank in the second set of Latymer results. Our pupils frequently feature among the top 10 ranks at Latymer, even though their main school choice is often QE or Henrietta Barnett School.
Who are the Advanced Creative Writing Workshops for?
Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 pupils who may currently be at any level, but are eager to develop towards the sophistication and control associated with top-band GCSE writing.
The workshops are suitable for both beginners and already established writers.
What is included?
Each week pupils receive a full English Creative Writing section mock, typically designed to be completed in around 30 minutes.
Pupils may complete it as a timed mock and have it evaluated and commented on by an AQA examiner. Separate guides are also provided to help them improve the quality of their writing.
Vocabulary suitable for the week's work is included. Pupils may use it if it suits their writing, but it is not compulsory.
We encourage and nurture each child's natural creativity. We do not teach stock sentences or force pupils into a generic writing style.
A wide range of Creative Writing genres is taught, while popular examination styles are revisited regularly so that pupils are well prepared for selective school entrance exams.
A workshop, not simply a lesson
Our weekly workshops usually run for around 60 to 90 minutes, with groups of approximately 10 to 15 pupils.
The group setting gives children the chance to hear different ideas, learn from one another and develop healthy constructive competition.
Every pupil's work is marked each week and every child receives an equal share of teacher time and encouragement, while individual targets and comments remain bespoke.
This combines much of the personalisation of one-to-one tuition with the energy, inspiration and motivation of a carefully managed group lesson.
What one QEHBS parent said
“Most English tuition picks a side. It either drills for exams or it lets children work freely and calls that creativity. Priya does both, and that is why it has worked for us.
My daughter has been with her for over a year now. The classes have been where the groundwork happened. Comprehension, grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary — built week on week, not crammed before a deadline. The vocabulary lists arrive every week and the words come back later in the reading and the writing, so they actually stay. The homework has a purpose behind it. Nothing is set to fill time.
The creative writing is the part I did not expect to matter as much as it has. My child is allowed to have a voice on the page and to take a risk with it, which is usually the first thing structured tuition removes. Here it sits alongside the technical work instead of competing with it, and the difference shows. She has shaped my daughter's writing into well thought-through and genuinely readable pieces.
The other thing worth saying is that Priya is very organised. Homework, vocabulary lists and notes on what was covered arrive every week, without fail, and both courses are tracked separately. I have never had to chase and I have never had to ask what was done. As a working parent that is not a small thing.
Consistent, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in the child in front of her. Thank you, Priya.”
Writing improves by writing
Homework is an important part of the programme and is expected each week.
Where a pupil has not completed the writing beforehand, they may use the first part of the session to complete it before receiving teacher feedback.
During lessons, pupils are encouraged to take notes, record useful tips and collect words, phrases and sentence structures that can help them become stronger writers.
Every week includes
- A 30-minute examination-style Creative Writing mock completed outside the lesson
- Live marking, discussion and feedback
- Short spot tests to strengthen writing
- Advanced techniques taught progressively across the weeks
- Carefully curated vocabulary and writing guidance
- A range of genres and examination styles, including cross-genre triplets and NWSSEE
- Personalised targets
- Writer of the Week awards
Weekly fees
£40 + VATfor a 60 to 90-minute workshop
Pupils who are also enrolled in our QEHBS Advanced English Workshops Year 5 or Year 4 receive a further 10% discount.
Families may choose to enrol by paying the fees in three instalments across the year or by paying the whole year's fees.
A 4-week notice period is required to cancel the enrolment.
Suitable for a beginner or an established writer
We provide the teaching, feedback, challenge and encouragement needed to help each child's own writing develop with greater confidence, control and individuality.