Creative Writing

Posted at 10:34 am on 16th November, 2022

At Flixton Girls School (FGS), we love welcoming our alumni back to share their post-FGS experiences and inspire our current students. Kate Martin, acclaimed author and alumna English teacher, returned to share her love of literacy and creative writing with our year 7, 8 and 9 students. The creative buzz around school for the duration of Kate’s visit was amazing to see. Our budding young writers spent time creating their own fictional characters - we are sure we will see some published in the not too distant future. Perhaps some will follow in the footsteps of Mrs Martin! 

Kate hosted a creative writing workshop where students could express themselves through the written word. Kate discussed how she uses her creative writing skills to bring her own fictional characters to life. The students used the tips collected from the workshop during their English lessons and beyond. Some students, proudly, returned with additional writing completed in their own time – certainly a sign of how meeting a published author can open young minds to creative possibilities. 

The students read copies of Kate’s latest book 'Are you OK, Elliott Hart?'. A story of a fifteen-year-old Elliot ‘Matchstick’ Hart, who spends his days caring for his mum and hiding from the school bully.

Fifteen-year-old Josh McBride perpetually torments Elliot and is constantly trying to avoid his abusive stepdad. Inspired by a picture in an old newspaper, Elliot embarks on an adventure to the city. Little does he know that Josh has decided to join him. On their journey, strangers and surprises force them to look at each other in a different light.

Kate grew up in a small town in Lancashire, England with her Mum, Dad and two older brothers. A bit of a tomboy, she loved nothing more than going out for adventures with her brothers, as long as she was back before dark. She studied English at Reading University and gained a teaching qualification at Manchester. Nowadays, Kate teaches English at a local high school in Cheshire and her evenings are spent writing stories close to her heart. She believes teenage years can be particularly difficult and wants to create stories that show empathy and hope for her readers. She lives with her husband, two children and Jessie, the Miniature Schnauzer.

Kate Martin tweeted, 'I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the students at @FlixtonGS today. We looked at how to create fictional characters. A talented bunch of students!'

Ms Tedford commented, ‘Wonderful to have newly published author Kate S Martin delivering a fantastic workshop for Year 7, 8 & 9 Ss. Are you OK, Elliot Hart? Available on @FlixtonGS Parentpay to purchase! #readersareleaders #buddingauthors’

Embedding a love of reading is at the heart of FGS. We encourage reading for pleasure during our weekly ‘drop everything and read’ (DEAR) sessions. Allowing students to choose a book to read creates more engagement and accelerates their progress reading.