Looking for more in Writing and Authors or Live literature opportunities?

ASN Schools Residencies

Applications for the 2025–26 ASN School Residencies programme are closed.

Close-up of children's hands drawing with pencils on papers

Please note: Applications are now closed. This page is for information only.

Our ASN schools residencies programme provides a fully-funded opportunity for schools to work with professional writers, storytellers and creators from the Live Literature directory.

This programme aims to increase opportunities for pupils with Additional Support Needs, their teachers, parents and carers to benefit from working alongside an author-in-residence on an extended project.

To find out more about the impact of this programme and how it works, read our case study about the ASN school residency at Rowanfield School.

For all residencies, we are happy to facilitate blended models and freedom to work remotely or in-person, depending on your school circumstances.

Why apply?

The four schools chosen by our panel will receive:

Timeline

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Who can apply?

You can apply if:

  • You're working with children and young people with additional support needs under 18 in Scotland in early years, schools, or further education settings, as well as residential units or other organisations standing in place of school for young people not in mainstream education. If you are unsure whether your setting qualifies for a residency, please email [email protected]
  • You're able to demonstrate a clear financial need, either overall as an organisation or in reaching a particular group of children and young people within your school or setting. Our panel will consider all applications, but settings unable to afford author visits without support will be given priority.
  • Your project will be free for all of the young people taking part
  • Your application form contains a short statement from a senior member of staff, such as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher. This statement shows that the residency, author and project co-ordinator will have support throughout the year
  • Your application is written by a learning professional from within your organisation (authors can’t apply on your behalf)
  • You're able to hold a residency between October and June

If you have previously been awarded Live Literature funding, you can still apply for an ASN school residency. This opportunity is also open to schools applying for the general school residency fund, unless you have already been awarded a residency for 2025/26.

What are the panel looking for?

Inspiration!

Will your residency ideas inspire a love of stories, creative writing and reading? This is our main priority, so please make sure you tell us why you think working with an author will inspire your pupils and staff to share stories this year.

Communication

We know that things don't always go to plan. Scottish Book Trust will help and support you if you need to change your plans. You will be asked to nominate a co-ordinator at your school who will lead on the project within your school and communicate with the author and Scottish Book Trust throughout.

Enthusiasm

Your project doesn't have to be fully developed or polished. We're looking for enthusiastic, committed schools who want to make the most of this funding; you can work with the author and Scottish Book Trust to refine your project's aims and structure later.

A focused approach

Show us that your project will have a lasting impact for the pupils and staff who take part. Workshops don't have to reach everyone in the school and we recommend making the most of the residency opportunity to build a relationship between a particular group and the author.

ASN school residencies are funded by the Mohn Westlake Foundation