A4004 - Explore: creative writing – find your creative voice

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Start Date: 03/11/2026      End Date: 01/12/2026        Start Time: 18:30      End Time: 20:30        Hours per Week: 2.00      No of Weeks: 5
Fees:      £67.00 (tuition)     £128.00 (overseas)     £21.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Carol Johnston        No of Places: 11
Idea Store Bow

Course Overview

Course Overview
You will work with short fiction, poetry and descriptive writing, with a stronger focus on structure, style and technique. Each session introduces a clear focus and gives you time to write, reflect and share work in a supportive group.
The course encourages exploration while helping you make more deliberate choices in your writing. You will practise simple editing skills and respond to feedback in a thoughtful and constructive way.
Through guided exercises and shared discussion, you will explore writing as a way to express ideas, observe the world and experiment with language. You will use prompts and activities to generate ideas and continue to build confidence in your writing practice. Sessions balance exploration with skill building, giving you space to try different approaches without pressure.
This course also helps you establish a regular writing habit, with simple and enjoyable ways to keep writing beyond the classroom.

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Generate and develop ideas using a range of prompts and techniques
* Experiment with short forms, including short fiction, poetry and descriptive writing
* Produce short, focused pieces of creative writing with clearer structure and purpose
* Respond to feedback in simple ways and use it to improve your work
* Reflect on your writing process and identify small next steps (optional but highly supportive for first time learners)
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
Competency in written and spoken English equivalent to Level 1.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
Please bring pen and paper to your first class where your tutor will advise
of any additional materials required
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
You will have an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ where the course learning outcomes are shown and
where you can set individual learning goals and monitor your own progress against these.
You will need to evaluate your own progress and manage your time.
Your tutor will give ongoing feedback and will keep you informed of your progress.
Prosp User 12
At the beginning of the course an initial assessment takes place to identify your level of
experience knowledge or current skills.
The tutor will carry out informal assessments to check your understanding, there is no exam.
You will complete a self-assessment at the beginning, middle and end of the course.
Your tutor will let you know how you are getting on throughout the course to you will help you
work to your full potential.
At the end of the course you will receive written feedback.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
You can progress to the B term course Explore: creative writing – finding your writing style. Please see our website 'Idea Store - Learning' for further information on a range of Visual Arts courses or speak with your tutor. Your tutor will support you in researching these and other courses outside of Idea Store Learning.
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
We have high expectations regarding attendance and punctuality. We expect 100% attendance for all scheduled sessions and that you do so punctually and are ready to start learning at the start of the class.
We acknowledge the rare occasions when that will not be possible, please inform us before the class by emailing ideastoreadmin@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
If you have declared a learning difficulty, disability or support need whilst enrolling and you require support/assistance in class or to complete your course, please discuss your needs with your tutor at the first lesson.
If you intend to take an examination and feel you have an additional learning need or special requirements, you must declare them to your tutor within the first 2 weeks of your course. If you are studying in an online group, then you can arrange a one-to-one online discussion with your tutor, after the session, or by email. Where we aim to make reasonable adjustments to support our learners, please note we are unable to provide any type of in class or in person support if your course takes place online.
Prosp User 14