We are now working with over 25 schools and organisations in East and West Sussex to help inspire young people to write creatively again. Keeping students engaged in creative writing is what we do. Sussex Writes has a dedicated student-led team that promotes self-expression, build relationships with young people and inspire young people to consider university in the future. We’ll work in partnership with you to help keep writing alive in schools and our community.
Sussex Writes is based at The University of Sussex.
School of English Office
University of Sussex
Arts B
Falmer, Brighton
BN1 9QN
If you are interested in becoming a partner to inspire young people to write confidently creative, please get in touch.
Who writes anymore? Our mission is to inspire people of Sussex to write confidently creative again. Sussex Writes invokes connection, community, inclusion and creative expression. Join us in our journey to motivate, encourage and enthuse creative writing in our community.
Sussex Writes is based at The University of Sussex.
School of English Office
University of Sussex
Arts B
Falmer, Brighton
BN1 9QN
If you are interested in our mission to inspire people to write confidently creative, please get in touch whether it is to support us, find out more about us or to get involved in one of our workshops.
And keep up to date with our work with the writing community by subscribing to our monthly email subscriptions. Just enter your name and email address to sign up now!
Are you a Sussex student interested in teaching or want some interactive experience with young people?
Become a Sussex Writes tutor and challenge and inspire with creative writing collaborations now!
Sussex Writes is a paid programme that takes creative writing workshops into schools to work with teenagers and encourage them to develop their creative writing.
Workshop tutors for the Sussex Writes programme will:
- Enthuse teenaged students about the pleasures & possibilities of creative writing, as well as raise confidence in young people's attitudes to creative writing and in themselves
- Work with senior teaching staff to expand the creative writing programme
- Receive on-campus professional career development, including preparing to teach, curriculum design and classroom management
- Receive off-campus teaching experience in the classroom and post-teaching feedback
- Receive reimbursement of costs for travel and training and paid teaching experience (£9.85 p/h)
Work with different people, get some self-reliance and new skills that would enrich your total experience of university and gain a more comprehensive education than the one you receive in lecture halls and the classroom.
Our Sussex Writes alumni who have just graduated from university, and the Sussex Writes programme, have found the experience an invaluable one in developing their C.V. as well as finding new passions for working with young people and using an enthusiasm for and talent in creative writing in a professional outreach context.
Each successful candidate is guaranteed to be able to be part of a small team at least two creative writing workshops and receive paid training; for some there is the opportunity to take on regular after-school clubs and develop their English tutoring skills beyond creative writing. As such, the programme offers rich possibilities for the aspiring professional writer, as running workshops is a common way of supporting a writing career, and for those considering working with young people in therapeutic, educational or charitable contexts.
If you are interested, please email a short statement about why you would like to join the programme to our lead academic Emma Newport at e.newport@sussex.ac.uk.
I don’t study English; can I still apply?
As long as you are passionate for creative writing and teaching, it does not matter what degree or level of study you are.
Is it manageable to balance working for Sussex Writes and studying?
Working for Sussex Writes and studying is very manageable! You can agree to any workshop times that work best for you and your university lifestyle.
How will working for Sussex Writes help me after university?
Sussex Writes is a valuable programme as it can help tutors to become more confident by planning lessons and creative in their thinking. Having Sussex Writes on your CV can be incredibly valuable. You are able to reflect on your team work skills, creativity and leadership skills all through Sussex Writes.
It can also help you discover whether you enjoy teaching as you are able to receive on-campus professional career development and off-campus teaching experience in the classroom.
Do I have to be a student at the University of Sussex?
Yes, all applicants must be students at Sussex. It does not matter what degree or level of study you are.
Will I receive any training before going into schools?
Yes, we try to have training and meeting sessions every term to help prepare you for teaching, curriculum design and classroom management skills. There are also many experienced Sussex Writes tutors that will go with you to your first workshop to help you along the way.
