Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Alex Wheatle among Hay Festival's free schools line-up

Hay Festival Global has announced the free schools programme to open the spring edition in Hay-on-Wye this year, showcasing writers such as Katie and Kevin Tsang, Jeff Kinney, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Anthony Horowitz.

The schools programme brings together writers and young readers for a series of inspiring interactive activities and conversations, across in person and online, with support from the Welsh government and the Rothschild Foundation.  

Key Stage 2 events on 23rd May also include writers Maz Evans, M G Leonard, Lee Newbery, Tọlá Okogwu and children’s laureate for Wales Alex Wharton.  

Key Stage 3 and 4 events on 24th May include Alex Wheatle, Sarah Crossan and Horowitz, among others. A live recording of BBC Radio 4’s “Front Row” will also take place at the festival with the pupils.  

More than 7,500 pupils from across England and Wales attended last year’s schools programme at Hay Festival 2023, while digital events over the past three years have reached more than 146,400 pupils through free events online.

Julie Finch, Hay Festival chief executive, said: “Ahead of our main programme launch next month, we are delighted to share the line-up for our free Hay Festival schools programme in Hay-on-Wye this spring.”