6th Form Creative Writing Trip to Totleigh Barton

During half term, 16 Key Stage 5 English students set off for Devon in the minibus (affectionately named ‘Lindsey’ for the duration of the trip!). We stayed at Totleigh Barton, a creative writing retreat in a thatched 16th century farmhouse run by the Arvon Foundation, in the village of Sheepwash, not far from Exeter.

Tutoring us were novelist Malachy Doyle and poet Chrissie Gittins. During our morning seminars we were encouraged to share our work with one another and develop our writing skills. By the end of the week our confidence had definitely increased: the skills we developed whilst experimenting with a variety of written forms enabled us to build upon our knowledge of creative techniques and give expression to our tortured souls!

Not only did the trip boost our capacity to fulfil our potential in A level English, but it also provided much fun, many frolicks and lots of new friends (that’s alliteration you know!). Mud, cloudy water and sleep deprivation aside, we all had a fantastic time. Many thanks to Miss Wotton and Mr Guest for taking us on such a great and memorable trip.

By Charlotte Salter, Luke Sutton, Pip Hicks, Year 13