Does anyone know of any creative writing workshops/residential camps for 9 year olds?

[thedollyridesout]

I have 'googled' and can find nothing. DD is adamant that she wants to be a writer and I thought that attending something like this during the summer hols might be fun for her.

TIA

So, is there a gap in the market or is it just a bad idea?

Hi, my DS has been on several creative writing courses and thorughly enjoyed them.
Try link here.

Also it depends where in the country you live. We have 2 other centres "quite" close by theat also run courses.
HTH

That's great JGB mum - thank you so much for the link and the recommendation.

I was just going to post about Kilve Court, but JGBMum has beaten me to it! I would highly recommend it - especially creative writing courses run by Colin Macfarlane. DD has been to several and loved them; DS will be going next year (yr 3 is youngest age allowed). It's worth a journey to.

Thank you englishpatient. DD loves the sound of it.

The course that I am considering for DD is with Rosie Bird - do either of you know anything about her?

I don't think my DD has done any with Rosie Bird. She has done courses with a number of different tutors though, and all have been very good or excellent.

No sorry, not heard of Rosie Bird. would definitely second the positive comments about Colin MacFarlane. DS has loved all the courses he has done with Colin, and thinks its down to Colin's "layers of meaning" poetry course that got him the A star in Eng Lit last summer

Thanks again to both of you for your additional comments. I am now trying to find a holiday cottage to rent in Somerset for the rest of us whilst DD is at Kilve. Any recommendations ?

Sorry no recommendations. It is quite close to both Dunster and Minehead if that helps?

We normally stay with my aunt in Dorset (she does rent out her farm house, but it's a bit far away from Kilve really!) or travel back & forwards, so I can't recommend any nearby accommodation. The first time DD went we stayed at the local shop which did B&B but I believe it's changed hands since then, so I don't know if they still do B&B there.

JGBMum and englishpatient - thank you very much indeed for your creative writing course recommendation. DD has just returned from a great week at Kilve with Rosie Bird who was lovely. She made some lovely friends and produced some fab writing. She wants to be an author more than ever now .

It really could not have gone better so thank you both from me and DD.

Just looked briefly at the link, does your child have to be G&T?

Not G&T as such but I did have to have a form signed by current teacher re: suitability for the course.

Yes, agree Kilve Court is worth the journey. My son did a creative writing course with Colin Macfarlane there when he was in Year 5 and absolutely loved it.He was nervous about it but the group spirit that developed over a weekend was fantastic, plus it was probably the best quality work he has produced to date-and he's just going into Year 10!

cosyviking if you get the chance, do encourage your DS to take Colin's layers of meaning course - my DS foiund it incredibly helpful for the English GCSE course as he "got" the poems straight away.

cortina - re G&T, I'm not sure about the courses run during the holidays, but those at the weekend in term time are aimed at the G&T students, BUT if there's a course that your DC likes and they have a particular talent or interest in that area then I would suggest talking to the teacher about the course.

thedollyridesout so pleased your DD enjoyed her course. Will she go again do you think?

NB its also worth looking at Braside in Devizes and Leeson House in Dorset.

Sorry that should read Braeside!

JGBMum - she loved the look of the Mission to Mars course that was on whilst she was there and she fancies something like that, or film-making.

She has written a multitude of poems since coming home, it has really inspired her.

Hmmm, sounds like you'll be making the trip a lot more in the future then