The stories are beginning to flow...

Students are writing for fun as part of First Story, a programme that pairs authors with schools in areas where youngsters traditionally under-perform.

It has been running in a handful of Nottingham schools since September and students now have a body of work – some fiction, some poetry, some essays – to show as they begin to contemplate the two-term project's big finale, a published anthology of their work.

WATCH PUPILS READING THEIR STORIES AND POETRY:

The programme has authors at Nottingham University Samworth Academy in Bilborough, Ellis Guilford in Basford, and at both the Sneinton and Bakersfield sites of Nottingham Academy.

Students join the programme voluntarily and meet once a week after school.

"They're getting a lot of confidence out of it," said Jason Philip, English teacher and programme co-ordinator at the Nottingham Academy Sneinton campus, where students are working with author Clare Brown.

"It's been an eye-opener working with someone who makes a living by writing", said year 11 student Ruby Alice Speed, 15.

"Because she does, you think 'I might as well try.' It's inspirational."

At Ellis Guildford, students have been working with Jon McGregor. Student Jamie Clarke-Hogg, who is in year 10, said it has made her think differently about writing.

"In lessons you have to write a certain way," she said. "Here, you can just write the way you want. There's no right way or wrong way.

"I've never written a story for myself before. This is new and I've really enjoyed it."

By taking writing out of the strictures of the national curriculum, the programme gives students an idea how much fun writing can be.

"It's a lot of the skills that we don't get the opportunity, because of the curriculum, to develop," Mr Philip said.

For some, the programme has been a revelation.

Jamie's mother, Lynne, wasn't sure her daughter would like First Story. She's doesn't mind being wrong.

"It's brought her out a lot more," Mrs Clarke-Hogg said.

"Coming here has been an inspiration, really. The more she's been coming, the more confident she's been getting."