Soham Village College students unleash their creativity in The Litmus

Soham Village College student Boaz, who had forgotten all about his entry to the Litmus, was surprised to return home and hear his parents say: ‘You’re now a published author. Go and write some more!’

He was one of nine 13-and-14-year-olds from the College to have their stories and poems published in The Litmus 2024, a Trinity College creative project led by author and Cambridge Honorary Fellow Ali Smith.

Soham Village College student Amy said:

It’s quite uplifting feeling like you’ve achieved something because it’s more than just writing something, but actually getting it published and recognized.

Beth Bullon, who teaches English at Soham Village College, believes the Litmus offers lots of benefits for those that take part.

I’m so proud to see that it has had such a confidence boost. The students here are amazing. I really do see a lot of unique passions and talents and creativity. It was great to see them excited by something different.

And the students are inspired to continue writing. Amelia, who had three pieces blind-selected by Ali Smith this year, is looking for other opportunities to publish her work.

Meanwhile Amy is working on more chapters of her dystopian story, ‘The Journey into the Unknown’, and Josh is planning an episode about the project for the school podcast, ‘The Inkling’.

Trinity established the Litmus in 2020 after Ali Smith, then Senior Fellow Commoner in the Creative Arts, and Trinity Fellow Professor Adrian Poole discussed ways of encouraging young people to think and write creatively.

Students may submit artwork, poetry or prose (up to 500 words) on a theme chosen by Ali Smith each year. The 2024 theme was ‘hostile environment’ and for 2025 it is ‘word power.’

A selection of entries, chosen by Ali Smith, is published in a book each year, copies of which are held by Cambridge University Library.

In the past five years, students from across the country have submitted 770 entries to the Litmus, including 70 from Soham Village College this year.

Ms Bullon recalled her own lack of confidence at school and her fear of ‘red pen corrections.’

‘When I realised my creative writing didn’t have to be perfect, I started to love English more and more,’ she said.

Josh, 14, agreed that the freedom to write beyond the school curriculum was ‘pure enjoyment’ instead of ‘ticking the boxes to get the grades.’

Will, who is a keen ruby player, was initially reluctant to put pen to paper. But the 2024 theme inspired him to write about his dream of playing for England and the ‘hostility’ of the high-level game. ‘When I was writing I actually enjoyed it – I didn’t think I would,’ he said.

Brianna, who had never written a poem before, drew on personal experiences in ‘Take What Life Gives You.’

When life gives you rain

Look for the shine

When life gives you silence

Look for the hope like a flickering candle

When life gives you sadness

Look for the joys in the future

When life gives you dark skies

Look for the moonlight.

The Litmus will start again this spring. Students in years 9-11 at non-fee paying schools (or in receipt of a full scholarship) may submit creative writing or artwork using an easy online form. Find out more about The Litmus.

Ms Bullon, who coordinated school’s participation in the Litmus, says that the project has fired students’ imagination and encouraged them to think beyond the curriculum.

I told the students, ‘Wow! you’ve been published. It’s amazing. You should be really proud of yourselves.

Photos: Graham CopeKoga