I run a range of online creative writing camps. These are suitable for ages 7-11. As I keep the groups small, I’m always able to adjust exercises or add stretch challenges to suit the participants. I usually run these during the school holidays, but am happy to organise sessions for groups of friends or homeschoolers.
Spaces are available for booking in the following camps (scroll down for more information and booking):
- October half terms camps dates tbc
I’ve also got capacity for two new private online students at the moment, so if you’re looking for more practice ahead of exams, please do get in touch.
Student and parent testimonials for online courses
Frequently asked questions
What courses do you run?
I currently offer a selection of courses. Further details on each course can be found below.
- Write a “book-in-a-week”
- Hogwarts holiday camp
- Let’s get blogging
- Hit the headlines for aspiring journalists
- Comprehension skills
What ages are your courses suitable for?
The courses are generally aimed at UK Key Stage 2 (KS2 is ages 7 to 11). In all cases, I can adapt the activities to suit different abilities providing stretch activities if required. If in doubt, please reach out and we can discuss.
How often do you run courses?
Courses typically run in the school holidays, but I can also organise bespoke sessions for groups of students. Please do reach out if you’d like to discuss dates and times.
What time of day do you run courses?
Courses are usually first thing in the morning or late afternoon (UK time), so the family can get on with their day. If you are an international student, please let me know what time zone and we can explore options.
How many students are in each class?
There will be a minimum number of 4 students in any class and a maximum of 10. This ensures there is plenty time to work with each child, and also that they can benefit from discussing and sharing ideas with their peers.
What is your refund and cancellation policy?
A full refund is available up to a week before the start date of the course. In the event of illness within 7 days of the course, a place on the next available block or an alternative course will be offered. No refunds or exchanges are available after the course has started.
If Lexi has to cancel a course (for example due to illness or if fewer than four students have signed up), a full refund will be made for any bookings.
The courses
“Book-in-a-week” creative writing course
This popular “Book-in-a-week” course takes children through
- planning a story, beyond the “beginning/ middle/ end”
- character creation and development
- the use of maps in books and map-making
- “just-one-more” chapter titles
- the secrets of eye-catching cover design
- how to write attention grabbing blurbs
- biographies
- all about copyright
During the week, the children complete a detailed piece of writing in a book-like format.
Format
Over the week, there are five 40 minute live Zoom sessions. To get the most out of the course, children can continue their writing outside of the sessions, but this is optional. Sessions are suitable for ages 8-11 as activities will be tailored for different levels, with a maximum of 10 students in each session. The course costs £75 for the week per student (early bird bookings available at a special discounted rate).
Hogwarts holiday camp
My most popular course for younger writers!
We’re off to everybody’s favourite wizarding school for some creative writing inspiration. Over the week we will
- Create our own magic school to enter the TriWizard Tournament (and practice our world building skills)
- Visit the Forbidden Forest (looking at super settings)
- Write a spell (adding a dash of poetry)
- Attend potions class (using those instruction writing skills)
- Pick sides at the Quidditch Cup (using time markers in our reporting)
Dressing up is encouraged!
Format
Over the week, there are five 40 minute live Zoom sessions. To get the most out of the course, children can continue their writing outside of the sessions, but this is optional. This course is suitable for ages 7-9 years, with a maximum of 10 students in each session. Activity sheets will be emailed in advance for printing at home. The course costs £75 for the week per student (early bird bookings available at a special discounted rate).
LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO GO ON THE WAITING LIST FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT SESSION
“Let’s get blogging” course
If you’re passionate about books, fashion, make-up, crafts, hobbies, travel, cookery or anything else, blogging is a great way to publish your work, but it does requires a bit of planning and can be hard to keep going. This course will
- help students establish themselves as bloggers
- provide support and encouragement
- work on idea generation to produce a blogging calendar
- explore the components of an attention grabbing title
- discuss the usage of images and copyright.
Note – you will need to have a blog set up in advance of the course, although you don’t need to have published anything on it. If you’d like help with the technical side of setting up a blog, please get in touch – I can offer a 121 session helping you set up a basic, free, WordPress blog.
Format
Over the term, there are eight weekly forty minute live Zoom sessions, with a break for half term. To get the most out of the course, children can continue their writing outside of the sessions, but this is optional. This course is suitable for ages 10-14 years, with a maximum of 12 students in each session. The course costs £120 for the term per student.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO GO ON THE WAITING LIST FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT SESSION
“Hit the headlines” journalism course
Not only will you design your own newspaper and write articles, this course will show you the secrets to being a world-class journalist including
- learn to write killer headlines
- demystify mastheads, decks, character counts and more
- discover the 5 W’s of journalism
- practice the journalist’s unique story pyramid
As well as being an author, the tutor, Lexi Rees, is a graduate of the London School of Journalism.
Format
Over the week, there are five 40-minute live Zoom sessions. To get the most out of the course, children can continue their writing outside of the sessions, but this is optional. This course is suitable for ages 10-12 years, with a maximum of 10 students in each session. The course costs £75 for the week per student (early bird bookings available at a special discounted rate).
LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO GO ON THE WAITING LIST FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT SESSION
Comprehension skills course
This course is designed to develop comprehension skills and is suitable for ages 9-11. Over the course of the term, students will practice the typical SATS style questions, using Eternal Seas by Lexi Rees as a mentor text. A signed copy of the book is included in the course fee (free postage within the UK). Students will be expected to read a few chapters (don’t worry – they’re short) each week in preparation for the lesson.
Format
Over the term, there are eight weekly 40 minute live Zoom sessions, with a break for half term. To get the most out of the course, children will need to do the set reading before each class, and are encouraged to continue with their work outside of the sessions. Model answers will be supplied after each class for the parent/ student to review as we recognise not everyone is comfortable sharing their work online. Groups are kept small with a maximum of ten students. The course costs £125 for the term per student.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO GO ON THE WAITING LIST FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT SESSION
For more information on an of these courses or to join the waiting lists, please get in touch.
Lexi Rees, author 