Since 1999 Shropshire Bookfest, a registered charity and Queen’s Award recipient, has been supporting primary schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin through its wide programme of literacy projects, professional development, events and information to develop reading and writing for pleasure for all children. Recently endorsed by research from University of Worcester, the Shropshire Bookfest initiative is making a huge impact on children’s reading and writing in schools across the county.
We currently have vacancies for the following roles:
Role Overview:
A task-focussed project manager role. Working closely with Trustees of Bookfest and a Schools and Volunteer Co-ordinator and liaising with a wide variety of partners, including (but not limited to) publishers, venues, schools and academic institutions.
The Project Manager will be responsible for a tightly timetabled biennial schedule to source funding, plan and organise two significant projects and provide support where required for other Bookfest initiatives.
Creating content for social media and updating communications for all interested parties will be crucial.
This role is key to Bookfest and its ongoing success, and is uniquely placed to identify new partners, initiatives and projects. It will have significant influence on the strategy, direction and future of Bookfest.
Role Overview:
A people orientated role which will work closely with Trustees of Bookfest, a Project Manager, a team of volunteers and a network of schools. Acting as ambassador for Bookfest, the co-ordinator will promote the current projects and identify new schools or opportunities where possible.
With a biennial schedule, the co-ordinator will act as interface between the Project Manager and Schools, managing and leading volunteers to ensure a consistent message and support given to all schools participating in Bookfest projects.
This role is key to Bookfest and its ongoing success, and will be a significant influence in the strategy and future of its work.
“Bookfest is quite unlike any other regional book award. Child led and centred, it generates a response from young readers that beats hands down anything I’ve ever experienced at other awards for its passion, imagination and creativity.”
Piers Torday
Patron of Shropshire Bookfest
“I am absolutely thrilled that Bookfest has received this well deserved award and I am very very proud of the whole committee; they have always acted with such enthusiasm and commitment and I am always delighted to take part in its projects which have gone from strength to strength.”
Dame Jacqueline Wilson
President of Shropshire Bookfest
In the spring of 2023, a team of researchers from the University of Worcester conducted a research study to explore how Shropshire Bookfest’s project, ‘Readers to Writers’, contributes to the quality of and engagement with the writing process for pupils of primary school age. The report will be published in the Autumn 2023.
Based in Shropshire, Pentabus tours new plays about the contemporary rural world to new audiences in village halls, fields, festivals and theatres, telling stories with national and international impact.
Beanstalk is a national charity that provides one-to-one literacy support to children who struggle with their reading ability and confidence.
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The Arts Society Shrewsbury is actively engaged in supporting local Young Arts projects such as Bookfest’s Book Award.
University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) offers high quality teaching, learning and research, and hosts the Bookfest CPD conferences for teachers in November.
TCA, the Shrewsbury based firm of accountants, supports Shropshire Bookfest with their specialist training and advice.
A video production company originating from Shropshire, producing work all over and currently residing… somewhere. The team has given its expertise to Bookfest in the production of all its films to support its projects.
Waterstones Shrewsbury provides advice and support on the supply of thousands of books for the Book Award, Readers to Writers projects and bookselling services at the annual conference for teachers.
Jacqueline Wilson says she had no hesitation in accepting the role of Bookfest President after attending the organisation’s first ever festival in 1999 – she signed books for eight hours straight from a little caravan in The Square! She has remained a stalwart supporter of the organisastion ever since.
Illustrator of the hugely successful Horrible Histories series, Martin has always understood the ethos of Shropshire Bookfest and how we work. He has an excellent reputation in the world of children’s literature, and having him as patron is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the illustrative element of children’s books.
Since arriving on the Bookfest Book Award shortlist in 2014, it was instantly obvious to all that Piers was a hugely respected individual in the world of children’s literature. Since then pupils, teachers, schools in Shropshire, and Shropshire Bookfest, have been fortunate to be able to call upon Piers for brilliantly engaging workshops, school visits, advice and of course for beautifully crafted stories.
Ian has been a staunch supporter and friend of Shropshire Bookfest since its early days. He is a prolific writer of children’s books since his first was published in 1989. He has written over 100 books for children, has been translated into 27 languages and is published in 28 countries. His books are renowned for their humour and child-friendliness and his talents range from picture books to novels, short stories and poetry.
Chris is Chair of Bookfest and previously was chief alchemist at Longden CE Primary School and Nursery for the last twenty-three years of his thirty-five wonderful years in primary education. He now mainly works Initial Teacher Education as well as providing subject training in History, Geography and Art. He has also trained with the RSC’s Education Department as part of a Masters in Teaching Shakespeare. His connection to Shropshire Bookfest goes back to the very early days of Book Award when it was clear to him that this was something very special that children needed in their lives and schools could benefit from. He now lends his expertise as Chair and member of the projects’ Steering Committee, supporting schools in bringing the joy of reading to children across Shropshire.
Caroline is Vice Chair and has consistently enjoyed reading books since childhood, initially for her own pleasure and then to her 2 boys when they came along as a break in her successful career in the insurance industry, as Head of Financial Operations for AXA Insurance. She recalls having the most amazing librarian in her local library who would personally recommend to her books to read to her own children.
She loved ‘Heidi’ as a child, ‘Fix it Duck’ which made her laugh and ‘Private Peaceful’ which made her cry.
Sian joined Bookfest as a School Coordinator in 2017, became a Trustee and is now Treasurer. Her background is HR and she has previously undertaken the roles of School Governor and PTA Chair & Treasurer. Sian has 4 children and 3 large dogs. The “children” are now fully fledged young adults and all doing well, which Sian puts down to them having a joy of reading and music.
Sian’s favourite children’s book is ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll, which probably explains the joyful mayhem that is the Marshall household.
Lucy has been a core member of the Bookfest team since the early days of the organisation. With an established career in textiles and company and merchandise showcase displays Lucy is the creative brain that keeps the branding, tone, look and face of Bookfest consistent and on point when it is out in public in theatres, schools, conferences.
Lucy’s favourite book is ‘The Water Babies’ by Charles Kingsley.
Jane has been a primary teacher and then headteacher for many years. Recently retired, she was delighted to become part of Bookfest. Jane has, as a teacher, been involved with Bookfest for a number of years. She brings her experience of working with children to developing activities around reading for the Bookfest projects.
Jane’s love of books goes back to when she read with her father at a young age and she still enjoys reading the children’s books. She can’t resist visiting a bookshop wherever she is.
Jane’s favourite children’s book is ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Former magazine editor, voice-over artist and independent publishing professional, Annabel Warburg, has brought her talents to Bookfest for many years, forming a critical part of the interplay between our work and local schools. Annabel’s insightful skill-set honed from years working within print media helps guide and focus our work, particularly that of Book Award and Schools’ Week, at every stage.
Her favourite children’s book is ‘Winter Holiday,’ by Arthur Ransome.
Elly brings her experience of working for a large animal charity, her HR & banking background to ensure the numbers balance at the end of the year and we are people compliant.
Elly’s love of books goes back to when she was a little girl when she used to play libraries with her collection of books, something that her daughter has also created with her collection.
Elly’s favourite children’s book is ‘ The World of Christopher Robin’ by A.A Milne, Elly still has her childhood version of this book.
Registered Charity Number: 1120177
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