Community Links

Our partnership with Maidstone Literary Festival

Reading is, and always has been, a priority for all the Trust’s schools and underpins learning across the curriculum. We believe in the power of reading, writing and creativity to spark imaginations, build confidence and bring people together. That’s why we’re proud to work in partnership with Maidstone LitFest, creating inspiring literary experiences for young people and the wider community.

We want every child to feel that stories are for them. Whether it’s discovering a new book, hearing a poem performed, or meeting an author for the first time, these moments can be truly transformative. Through our work with Maidstone Literary Festival, we help make reading and creative opportunities accessible, inclusive and exciting, both in our schools and beyond.

A wonderful example of this partnership would be the events we hosted with author Joseph Coelho, Children’s Laureate (2022-2024). During the day, we welcomed hundreds of students from across the Maidstone area to All Saints Church for two fantastic, interactive sessions. These included students from every VIAT school and more than ten other schools in the local area. It was a unique opportunity for everyone to be inspired by a much-loved author and to experience the joy of words first-hand. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from every school that came along to the events.

Our partnership with Maidstone Literary Festival is just one of the ways we strengthen community links and support a lifelong love of reading and creativity. We’re excited to continue working together to open up even more opportunities for young people across our area.