The Academi's Young Writing Squads are very similar to the range of
sports development schemes currently running in Wales. Local authorities
are persuaded to set up groups of selected children whose creative writing
shows unusual ability and promise. In most cases this selection is been
made at around age 9-10 with headteachers in each authority being asked
to identify keen, possibly gifted, young writers. English advisors conduct
the final selections and each squad of children meets roughly three
or four times a year (usually on Saturdays) for special training sessions
with outstanding writers who have the necessary communication skills
to work with the young. The aim is to keep each squad together until
the end of their schooldays.
By spring 1999, the inaugural Gwent Squad had been joined by Squads
in Cardiff, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Powys (two here) and
Newport. New squads were holding their first meetings in Swansea, Conwy
and Monmouthshire. Conwy established squads working through the mediums
of both English and Welsh - the first Sgwad Sgwennu. Bridgend, north
Powys, Denbigh and Gwynedd are expected to follow suit soon.
A body of tutors now has experience of working with these talented children.
These include Gillian Clarke, Francesca Kay, Ric Hool, Philip Gross,
Robert Minhinnick, Jenny Sullivan, Moira Andrew, Peter Finch and the
Website designer Sue Williams of HyperAction. The Arts Council of Wales,
which was involved in the initial development, also funded the establishment
of the Website which carries full background information and examples
of the children's work-in-progress. You can visit this site at http://www.hyperaction.org.uk/squads/
Hyperaction's splendid site is highly readable and readily lends itself
to expansion. A chatroom facility for the children will soon be available.

Gillian Clarke works with pupils at Bargoed Comprehensive
Please contact
the Academi at post@academi.org
for further information about the Squads movement. Those wishing to
establish new squads are particularly encouraged to get in touch.