LitFest Schools’ Programme
Marlborough LitFest brings books and reading to young people in Marlborough and surrounding towns and villages through our annual school outreach activities. We typically reach around 2,000 young people with free events each year.
The festival has reaffirmed its commitment to inspiring young readers. Thanks to the festival’s generous sponsors, donors and Friends, Marlborough LitFest has expanded its free events for schools’, helping children discover the lifelong joy of reading. It’s a mission backed by research from the National Literacy Trust, showing that children who read for pleasure develop stronger literacy skills and perform better across their education. The partnership reflects a shared belief that books can open minds, build confidence and change lives.
From the very beginning of our festival we have provided local schools with free author events in Marlborough Town Hall. This then expanded into free events for 11-13 year olds at St John’s School, bringing in other local secondary pupils for LitFest’s annual Big School Read. And we have recently expanded our schools outreach programme to Pewsey, Calne and Devizes.
Over the years we estimate we have reached more than 6,000 children with these events – fulfilling our charitable aim of spreading knowledge and appreciation of literature and the arts.
In 2025 we provided free authors talks once again to Years 5 & 6 local primary school children in and around Marlborough, Pewsey, Calne and Devizes in the lead up to the festival weekend: author Tom Palmer appeared in Calne in two sessions with six invited local schools and in Devizes with eight invited local schools; Catherine Bruton appeared in Pewsey with 10 invited local schools; author AF Steadman talked to nine invited local primary schools in Marlborough.
The 2025 Big School Read at St John’s Academy, Marlborough, for Years 7 & 8 featured author Nathanael Lessore, talking about his book, King of Nothing with pupils from three other local schools in attendance.
