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Enrolment open · Highgate · January 2027

Sunday writing workshops at Cool Carrot Cafe.

Playful, intellectually ambitious classes for ages 7–11 and 12–16, led by published writer and experienced teacher Sarah Fletcher. Stories, poems and space to develop your own ideas — in a private room at Cool Carrot Cafe in Highgate.

The programme

A workshop for every stage.

Ages 7–11 · Morning

The Story Room

Sundays · 9:30–11:30am

Stories, poetry and creative play, with reading and prompts adapted to each child's age, interests and confidence.

  • Invent characters and imaginary worlds
  • Explore poems, stories and new forms
  • Develop and share your own writing

Ages 7–11 · Midday

The Story Room

Sundays · 12:00–2:00pm

The same primary-age programme, with a second time option for families. Choose whichever session suits you best.

  • Write alongside other young writers
  • Build confidence through experimentation
  • Receive individual guidance

Ages 12–16

The Writers’ Studio

Sundays · 2:15–3:45pm

A focused workshop for teenagers who enjoy writing and want to develop their craft, voice and personal projects.

  • Read and discuss other writers
  • Develop fiction and poetry
  • Give feedback and learn to revise

Eight-session term

£280

£35 per student per session
Primary groups: two hours
Teenage group: 90 minutes

Included in your place

Each writer receives their own notebook and a finished anthology at the end of term, bringing everyone’s work together in one collection.

Complete the form with your child’s age and preferred Sunday session. Sarah will confirm availability and payment details.

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Our approach

What makes us different?

London has plenty of holiday courses and after-school clubs. The London Young Writers Academy offers something harder to find: consistent weekend workshops in which young writers can develop over time.

Rather than asking every child to follow the same term-long topic, Sarah adapts prompts, reading and editorial guidance to each writer’s age, interests and level. Children still gain the energy of writing together, while receiving the close attention they need to become more confident, ambitious and independent.

“By far the camp he has enjoyed the most at ASL — he’s still scribbling away in his notebook.”
Parent of an ASL workshop participant
“The week was really inspiring for him. He’s been telling us about the daily discussions and his story with the giants.”
Parent of an ASL workshop participant
“He is continuing to work on the story he started in class — typing, editing and working on illustrations.”
Parent of an ASL workshop participant
Sarah Fletcher, founder of London Young Writers Academy

The founder

Sarah Fletcher

Sarah is a working writer and creative-writing teacher with more than a decade of experience working with young people. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, New Statesman, The Spectator, Poetry Review, Poetry London, The White Review and elsewhere. She has taught in schools, universities, summer programmes and specialist workshops.

Available during the week

One-to-one writing mentorship

Sarah is also available during the week for individual mentorship: creative enrichment, school-entry writing, competition submissions or a longer personal project. Sessions are shaped around each young writer’s interests, ability and goals.

Enquire about mentoring

Our Sunday venue

Cool Carrot Cafe

259 Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 5BS

A welcoming neighbourhood café and boutique in Highgate. Our workshops will use its separate back room, with tables, chairs and an adjoining small garden — a setting for writing together away from the main café space.

Explore Cool Carrot · View map

Food and drinks are available to buy from the café. The venue does not permit outside food or drinks.

From January 2027

How to sign up

Use the form to tell Sarah your child's age and preferred session: 9:30am or 12pm for ages 7–11, or 2:15pm for ages 12–16. Please mention whether another time would also work for your family.

Term dates — Sundays in 2027
10, 17, 24 and 31 January
7, 21 and 28 February
7 March

There is no class on 14 February. Eight sessions cost £280 per student, including a notebook and the end-of-term anthology.

Groups are capped at twelve. Place availability and payment arrangements will be confirmed directly. Submitting the form does not take payment or guarantee a place.

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A place for young writers to take their work seriously.

Sign up for Sunday classes for venue news, taster dates and founding-term registration.

Sign up for Sunday classes