The Schools Writing Trail was in situ around Manchester City Centre from 1-15th June 2023 across 8 venues and featured young writers from 40 different schools across Greater Manchester. Now that the Trail has ended, we have digitised the artwork and writing here as a trail archive to be visited again and again.

The Art of the Book Award encourages young people to create a book using art & words to tell their story. It’s open to Pupil Referral Units and Schools and departments with Special Educational Needs in Greater Manchester aged 7 – 19 years and is completely free to enter.

‘There aren’t many competitions that are inclusive and accessible for all learners, and so we really appreciate it!’

– Alanna Cryer, Phase Leader, Inscape House School

Below you will find videos, comics, written stories, books with handmade cover artwork and illustrations all created by talented entrants to the Art of the Book Award and featured here as part of the Schools Writing Trail 2023.

Students participating in the Schools Writing Trail from The Art of the Book Award:

• Saffron Broderick: I’m a Legless Lizard (Inscape House School, KS5, Best Artwork and Overall Winner)
• Freddie: Ben’s Christmas Surprise (The School at the Christie, Manchester Hospital School, Most Creatively Made Book, KS2)
• Leah: Chloe and Scarlett (The School at the Christie, Manchester Hospital School, Most Engaging Story, KS2)
• Keisha: A Rabbit’s Life (Galaxy House, Manchester Hospital School, Most Creatively Made Book, KS3)
• Faye: The Monster that Came to Tea (Galaxy House, Manchester Hospital School, Most Engaging Story, KS3)
• Dilys: Windrush Child (Inspired by the words of John Agard, The School at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Best Artwork, KS3)
• Jessica Thatcher: Daddy’s Little Girl, I can’t stop falling
• Talia: Fox Club (Inscape House School, KS5, Most Engaging Story Award)
• Sophie and Georgina: Wallace and the Dog that Ate a Bagel (Piper Hill Post 18 Department, Funniest Book, KS5)
• Ebony Topham: My name is Ebony and I am 16 Years Old, Pumpkin and Ash, Why Dragonite Doesn’t Talk (Inscape House School, KS5)
•  Zoey Burt: You are my Best Friend (Inscape House School)