At Arvon we believe anyone can become a writer and we’re passionate about working with schools to create a residential that will leave you and your students feeling inspired. We’ve been running residential creative writing courses for schools since 1968, so we’re confident that five days with us can start your students on the path to a life-long love of creative writing.
Coming to stay at an Arvon centre gives you and your students the opportunity to spend five days writing, living and cooking together creating the perfect environment for imagination to thrive. Working with published authors, teachers and students alike are encouraged to take part in workshops, individual tutorials and evening readings.
Whether you want to bring talented writers, or individuals who need more support, each week is shaped around the participants’ needs and interests. We also run bespoke projects such as Writing the Game, which channels students love of football to engage them with writing and learning.
“I cannot express how important this experience has been for my pupils. They have developed the skills to confront their emotional difficulties through a creative outlet. Many have described it as the experience of their life. A truly valuable place.” - Teacher, Priory Ruskin Academy
Why book Arvon for Residential School Trips and Educational Visits?
Our centres provide the perfect environment for imagination to thrive and for language and writing skills to improve. We have three beautiful and historic locations to choose from, located in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire:
The house and gardens at The Hurst in Shropshire were the former home of playwright John Osborne. The centre is located in the Shropshire Hills a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
All our centres are accessible to wheelchair users and can accommodate a personal assistant or carer if required.
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
English
Curriculum topics available: Composition, Story writing, Persuasive writing, Creative writing, Story telling, Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation.
For many young people, their only experience of creative writing is under exam conditions. We offer the chance for both teachers and students to spend a week immersed in words, working with published authors and trained creative writing workshop facilitators to expand the imagination and enhance creativity.
Students often come away from the week with a new-found confidence in their writing ability and are empowered by the experience of independent living. Teachers leave feeling reinvigorated, armed with new tools to try out in the classroom and remembering why they chose to teach English.
What activities are available during group visits?
The Arvon week runs from Monday to Saturday morning and includes daily group writing workshops lead by the tutors, one to one tutorials, readings from the tutors and from a special guest midweek and finally a celebration evening on the Friday with students reading the work they have produced over the week.
Writers we work with include Mark Haddon, Malorie Blackman, Simon Armitage and Jamila Gavin.
“I feel inspired; and I can really look forward to carry on my stories, having found out about character building and initiating stories. I love it! And now I know how, I can’t see myself ever stopping my writing.” - Student, Solihull School
What size groups do you cater for?
16 students and 2 teachers
Is there first aid on site?
Yes
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Yes - this is a fully accessible building with a central lift giving access to all bedrooms.
Anything else?
Arvon can in certain instances assist with funding for school groups to come thanks to the generosity of individuals, trusts and foundations.
Reviews from Schools visiting Arvon!
Teacher Checklist 
 | Risk Assessments | ||
| Inspection Visits |
Creative Writing for School Groups
Arvon are passionate about working with schools to create residential creative writing courses.
Arvon
Click to view more educational experiences from this provider!
Additional Experiences
