The Writers’ Examination Board, a department of Bristol Grammar School, arose from collaboration among teachers and writers who were disappointed that the AS/A2 qualification formerly offered by AQA was not ratified as a linear GCE qualification. Our specification has been constructed in collaboration with Senior Examiners from AQA, with writers teaching graduate and postgraduate qualifications in Creative Writing at leading British Universities, and with members of the NATE Post-16 Conference. We welcome collaboration with any sympathetic individuals and organisations who have a stake in Creative Writing as an educational discipline.
The Chair of WEB is David Briggs. David is Head of Creative Writing at Bristol Grammar School, with responsibility for the AFA in Creative Writing. He is also a widely published poet and recipient of an Eric Gregory Award. David’s third collection of poetry, Cracked Skull Cinema, was published by Salt in 2019, and his work appears in Identity Parade: New British and Irish Poets (Bloodaxe, 2010). A former Poet-in-Residence at Bristol University, he has taught Creative Writing for the Poetry School, as well as at AS/A2 Level, and he is currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing (Poetry) at the University of Exeter.
Principal Examiner for WRITE-2 COMMISSIONED WRITING is Andrew Jamison. Andrew teaches English at Abingdon School, and was an Examiner for AQA’s AS/A2 in Creative Writing, as well as for CIE’s Pre-U in English Literature. Andrew is also a widely-published poet. His second collection, Stay, was published by Gallery Press in November 2017, and his third collection is forthcoming, also with Gallery. Andrew is studying for a PhD in Creative Writing (Poetry) at Reading University.
Principal Moderator for WRITE-1 PORTFOLIO and Principal Examiner for WRITE-3 RESPONSIVE WRITING is Maria O’Brien. Having taught English and Creative Writing for many years, including as a Team Leader for the examiners of AQA’s CREW-4 module in A2 Level Creative Writing, Maria now works freelance as a writer and examiner.
Our Consultant Adviser is Dr Lorna Smith of the Bristol University School of Education.
The Writer’s Examination Board (WEB) meets once a year, for the three Principal Examiners to present the outcomes from assessment of the three components, and to award grades to candidates at AFA centres. Current centres include:
ABINGDON SCHOOL
BADMINTON SCHOOL
BRISTOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL
CLEVEDON SCHOOL
ENFIELD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
KINGSWOOD SCHOOL, BATH
MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE
MARLING SCHOOL
REDMAIDS’ HIGH SCHOOL
The Writers' Examination Board (WEB) 