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������̳ Teach > Educational Calendar

������̳ Student Critics 2024

2024 Discussion Guide now available!

The enhanced Student Critics 2024 programme has now closed, but you can still access the discussion guide for the shortlisted stories announced on Thursday 12 September, using the links at the bottom of the page.

������̳ Student Critics is a fantastic opportunity for students to flex their critical muscles by reading, listening, discussing and critiquing the stories shortlisted for the annual ������̳ National Short Story Award, with Cambridge University.

This curriculum-linked programme launches in the autumn term, exploring the most exciting voices in short story writing today. A selection of free resources are available below.

Aimed at 16-18-year-olds, ������̳ Student Critics takes place each year in September. It forms a fun introductory or bridging unit for the beginning of the school year where students get to explore the ������̳ National Short Story Award’s five shortlisted stories, discuss them as a group, choose their favourites, and get together for a listening party to hear the winner announced live on ������̳ Radio 4’s Front Row.

Why take part?

Participating students can:

• read and listen critically
• gain an understanding of the short story form
• develop skills in literary criticism
• build confidence
• and discover a diverse range of exciting new writing.

Student Critics addresses key learning objectives in English literature and English language, and develops communication and critical thinking skills.

We have a rich set of resources so that you can make Student Critics your own and decide exactly how you want to take part. You can take it in to the classroom, make it an extra-curricular activity, or take a light touch approach and give your students the opportunity to work independently.

Use the links on this page to access the range of our Student Critics resources. You can also access the 2023 shortlisted stories for more inspiration. The range of resources, open to all, are tailored to facilitate critical thinking around the ������̳ National Short Story Award and to help you get the most out of Student Critics - including a teacher’s guide, an introduction to reading short stories, and a booklet with more award-winning stories to read and discuss. Bespoke guidance on the shortlisted stories will be released in September.

Please note that the shortlisted stories for the ������̳ National Short Story Award may contain adult themes.

The enhanced Student Critics programme

Sign up for the enhanced Student Critics 2024 programme has now closed.

Up to 600 16-18-year-olds participating in ������̳ Student Critics will be selected for our enhanced programme, comprising:

• A free copy of the 2024 ������̳ National Short Story Award (NSSA) anthology for each student.
• Access to an online ������̳ Student Critics panel event where questions can be put to a selection of judges and/or shortlisted writers.
• An opportunity to receive a visit from a shortlisted writer or judge for this year’s ������̳ National Short Story Award, or ������̳ Young Writers’ Award.
• An opportunity for students to attend the ceremony for the National Short Story Award and Young Writers’ Award, in London, in October.

See below for a selection of ������̳ Student Critics resources.