The BBC Student Critics’ Award with First Story and Cambridge University

The Faculty of English is pleased to be part of the BBC Student Critics’ Award, an exciting new initiative from the BBC and partners Cambridge University and First Story, designed to celebrate the written word by encouraging students to read critically, foster skills in literary criticism, and to build confidence.

This scheme is for 16-18 year olds in years 12 and 13 and it will shadow the prestigious BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University. It offers selected groups of students around the UK the opportunity to read, listen to, discuss and critique the five stories shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award 2018 and to have their say.

Each group selected will receive a curriculum linked teaching resource for the short story which includes creative cross-curricular activity ideas; copies of the official BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University 2018 Anthology; a bespoke discussion guide for the five stories shortlisted for this year’s award and the possibility of live or online interactions with writers, judges, First Story Patrons and staff and students from Cambridge University Faculty of English, and a certificate for the group.

We’re looking for participating groups of 20 or more who are keen to take up this opportunity and who will send us photos, videos and audio of their discussions about this year’s BBC National Short Story Award 2018.

Please note that the shortlisted stories for the BBC National Short Story Award 2018 may contain adult themes.

If you’d like your students to be one of the selected groups of taking part in the BBC Student Critics’ Award and for the chance of a visit from an established writer or judge please click here for the Terms and Conditions

To apply please click here (please note, you are moving to a third-party page) to access the online application form.