Waldegrave says both students and writers have found the scheme invigorating and fulfilling: "The children have loved it. On occasion we've actually had to kick them out at the end of the day. It's satisfying to see pupils develop pride and joy in their own stories."

First Story's success is best measured in the A-level exam results of children who have taken part: in its 2007-08 pilot group, First Story aimed for 43 per cent of aged 16-18 students achieving B grades, but greatly exceeded this target: 25 per cent of the group got A grades and 28 per cent obtained Bs. This compared favourably to sixth formers who did not take part in First Story: only 9 per cent achieved As and 16 per cent B grades.

Aside from boosting exam results and encouraging students' passion for writing, First Story aims for students to set up writing groups once the course has ended, and also plans to release annual anthologies of pupils' work. If the scheme's success so far is anything to go by, they should be a good read.