Nearly 5,000 young people benefit from the Schools Programme, which is supported by the Isle of Wight Literary Festival. Authors, illustrators, poets and theatre groups go into the island schools to inspire, entertain and educate the next generation.

Schools

The Schools Programme was first introduced as part of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival’s Youth Programme in 2014. Its aim is to inspire thousands of Island children to read, write, listen and tell stories, by bringing authors, storytellers and performers into a wide range of Island schools over a two day period. Due to Covid restrictions, in 2020 and 2021 the Schools Programme was cancelled. Plans are underway for the 2022 Schools Programme.

2019 Schools Programme

Jane Porter, Mo O’Hara, Matt Brown, Jules Marriner, Paul Lyalls, Peta Rainford, Karl Nova and Steve Webb are among the writers, poets and illustrators who took part in the 2019 Schools Programme.

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FEEDBACK FROM PRESENTERS

“They were a lovely on the ball audience who asked some brilliant questions and said some lovely things. It was just such a pleasure.”
Jo Brand Comic, actress and author of Born Lippy (2019 Festival Feedback)

“There is something really special about the Isle of Wight festival, this was my second appearance there and I’ve thought so both times. It has such a lovely atmosphere – the weather just couldn’t make a dint in that!!”
Kate Hamer author of Crushed (2019 Festival feedback)

“This is a super, super literary festival. There are 350 literary festivals in this country. I feel like I’ve been to almost all of them! I’ve certainly been to over a hundred of them and this is right at the top. Because it’s the trifecta as far as every writer is concerned. They laugh at the jokes, they ask intelligent questions, penetrating intelligent questions, and they also bought the book. So you put those three things together and any writer is going to be happy to come.“

Andrew Roberts author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny (2019 Festival feedback)

“A great treat for authors every year. Delightful surroundings and very efficient organisation. A thoroughly worthy cause!”
Peter Snow (2018 Festival feedback)

Schools

2019 Schools Programme

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