The programme brings together writers and young readers for a series of inspiring interactive activities and conversations in person and online.
Taking place between 23rd May and 2nd June this year, the Hay Festival attracts thousands of pupils from across England and Wales, with digital events over the past three years also reaching more than 146,000 students.
Tickets for both pupils and teachers are free of charge for state schools and must be booked through the website.
The 2024 programme for schools
KS2 events on Thursday 23rd May include writers Maz Evans, Katie & Kevin Tsang, Connor Allen, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, MG Leonard, Kiran Millwood- Hargrave, Lee Newbery, Jeff Kinney, Matt Goodfellow, Adam Rutherford, Tọlá Okogwu and Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-2025 Alex Wharton.
KS3/4 events on Friday 24th May feature writers Alex Wheatle, Jenny Valentine, Sarah Crossan, Phil Earle, Aneirin Karadog, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Nicola Garrard, AM Dassu, Anthony Horowitz, Daniel Morden, Frances Hardinge and Manon Steffan Ros.
Plus, a live recording of BBC Radio 4’s Front Row will spotlight the power of literature in front of an audience of pupils.
For those who can’t access the free events in person, sessions will also be streamed free online, with closed captioning available in Welsh and English at hayfestival.org/schools, and available free after the event on Hay Festival Anytime at hayfestival.org/anytime (formerly Hay Player).
Julie Finch, CEO of Hay Festival said: “Ahead of our main programme launch, we are delighted to share the line-up for our free Hay Festival schools programme in Hay-on-Wye this spring.
“Our schools programme is an annual highlight and we cannot wait to welcome thousands of young people, in-person and online, to join us for these days of inspiration and hope, creating a space where imaginations are free to roam.”
About the Hay Festival
Hay Festival was founded in Hay-on-Wye, Wales in 1987 by Peter Florence and his parents Rhoda and Norman. The town was already well-known for its many bookshops before the event was launched.
The idea of the festival was to bring people together to share ideas and different perspectives, provoking conversations to create a better world. It has expanded over the years to include musical performances and film previews.
The Hay Festival site is located on a green field called Dairy Meadows, just ten minutes walk from the centre of Hay.
For more information visit hayfestival.com
