Imagine a Story: a creative writing project for schools
Key Stage 2 pupils become published authors in our collaborative writing project
Primary school pupils have the opportunity to collaborate with brilliant children’s writers and illustrators from under-represented backgrounds in our Imagine a Story creative writing project.
Inspired by the game of consequences, Imagine a Story sees our guest author set a framework for an adventurous multi-part story. Each participating school then writes one part of the story in response to this framework, without knowing what comes before or after their section. Together, the chapters create a completely unique story, brought to life by our guest illustrator, that is professionally published, making all the children involved published authors.
At the beginning of the project, teachers are supported by a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session and a robust teachers’ pack created in consultation with the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). The CPD is a key component of Imagine a Story, preparing you to bring the project to your classrooms and equipping you with practical tools and tips for writing creatively and collectively with their classes beyond the project.
Imagine a Story culminates with the participating classes invited to attend their Book Launch here at the Southbank Centre.
This project is designed to inspire and support children’s creativity and creative writing skills, help them to see themselves in the books they read and write, motivate them to continue to develop their writing and reading back in school, and help them to see themselves as real-life authors.
Take part
Applications for Imagine a Story 2025 are now closed.
This year’s Imagine a Story project is only open to primary schools in London boroughs, and we will prioritise applications from schools local to the Southbank Centre.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Resources
About the programme
Why take part?
Imagine a Story supports children to develop their writing, reading, and imaginative skills, including these areas of the KS2 National Curriculum for English:
- developing understanding and enjoyment of reading and writing
- planning, drafting and evaluating their writing
- discussing words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imagination
- developing well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives
- using language to develop understanding through imagining and exploring ideas.
The project also increase diverse representation in children’s literature and encourages young people to see themselves in their writing.
Imagine a Story encourages children’s awareness of social issues through storytelling, and it opens a pathway into the arts, encouraging children to see themselves as ‘real life’ authors.
What you receive
This project is free to all participating schools and is open to classes in Key Stage 2 (years three to six).
Schools are encouraged to invite multiple classes (up to 60 children in total) to collaborate in the project.
Here’s what you’ll receive in this year’s Imagine a Story project.
- In-person or online CPD training session with the Southbank Centre and Centre for Literacy in Primary Education.
- A teachers’ pack full of literacy and creative writing activities for the KS2 classroom.
- A copy of the published book for every student participating in the project.
- Live performance from project artists at the Southbank Centre.
- Ongoing support from start to finish from the Southbank Centre Schools team and our Imagine a Story teacher network.
Project timeline
Autumn term 1 & 2: Apply online for your school to take part in the project.* Take part in Project CPD and plan next term! Please ensure you can attend one of the CPD sessions (either both sessions 1 & 2 online or the in-person session) to confirm your school’s participation in the project. Teacher CPD sessions:
- Wednesday 22 January: Part 1 Online CPD (4pm – 5.45pm)
- Monday 10 February: Part 2 Online CPD (4pm – 5.45pm)
- Tuesday 11 February: In-person CPD (1.45pm – 5.30pm)
Spring term 1 & 2:Write your class chapter and submit it to the Southbank Centre. Deadline: Friday 28 March 2025.
Summer term 1: Get excited – your book is being edited and illustrated!
Summer term 2: Enjoy your Book Launch performances! Ensure you’ve got everything ready for your final performances at the Southbank Centre, and celebrate the book launch with the author and illustrator where every child receives a copy of the book – they’re published authors now!
*Due to the high level of interest in this project, we may not be able to accommodate individual schools’ requests to complete multiple parts, or have more than 35 children per school. Upon applying, our Schools team may get in touch with you to discuss how your school can best participate.