Creative Translation for All

SST is inspired by the cultural activism of Stephen Spender, poet and champion of international literature. We celebrate multilingualism and literary translation through a range of initiatives, including our Prize for poetry in translation and Creative Translation education programmes.

About us

Literature Fires the Imagination

Discover our new programme to bring Creative Translation into International Language classrooms across Wales

Find out more Are you an IL teacher in Wales? Register here for your free place on the professional learning programme
Stephen Spender Prize

The Stephen Spender Prize 2026 will open for entries in May. Visit the Prize homepage for the latest updates and to discover our 2025 prizewinners!

Stephen Spender Prize homepage Are you a teacher getting involved with your students? Click here for our one-stop Guide for Teachers!
What is Creative Translation?

Find out all about our innovative practice, which brings creativity into Languages lessons and diversifies English curricula

What is Creative Translation? Research on the Impact of Creative Translation
Remembering Alastair Niven, 1944-2025

SST remembers our trustee and friend Alastair Niven, who has died at the age of 81

A tribute to Alastair Niven
Photo of Alastair Niven
Sign up to find out more about our programmes for linguistically inclusive classrooms

Teacher Mailing List

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Young Translators in London

Our Young Translators programme runs in secondary schools in London

Multilingual Creators – Young Translators
Young Translators in Norfolk

We train primary teachers to bring creative translation to their pupils

Young Creative Translators, West Norfolk
Creative activities on Ukrainian language and culture

Ukrainian Spotlight Programme

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Creative Translation for Young People

The Stephen Spender Trust has brought unique creative translation projects to young people and teachers since 2010

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Partnerships and Supporters

We work with partners across education and the arts to reach thousands of young people every year

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Support Us

Our activities are made possible thanks to the generosity of organisations and individuals who believe in what we do

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Resources

We encourage and support teachers to incorporate creative translation activities into their teaching practices and lessons

Explore our resources

Current and Recent Projects

Leeds Language Week 2023

In November 2023, we contributed to the programme of activities for Leeds Language Week by encouraging and supporting young people to write creatively about the city of Leeds in different languages.

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Festival of World Literature

The Festival of World Literature’s creative translation days offered pupils and teachers inspiring intercultural experiences without leaving the classroom.

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Multilingual Creators: Me and My City

Me and My City has transformed young participants into multilingual creators, able to access and interact with high-quality literature in multiple languages, and to use it as a springboard for their own writing.

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Newcastle We Are
Translating Dreams

World Poetry Day with young writers in Southampton

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Paper Boats poem
Translating Berlin

Resources for schools and workshop in partnership with University of Oxford

Translating Berlin
Poster for Stephen Spender exhibition
Translating Jane Eyre

Resources for schools and workshops in partnership with Prismatic Jane Eyre (Oxford)

Prismatic Jane Eyre for Schools
Jane Eyre Brazilian cover
Translating the City

Training ‘Multilingual Creators’ in Newcastle, Greater Manchester and Norfolk

Multilingual Creators
Artsmark

SST is proud to be an Artsmark Partner, helping schools to put creativity at the heart of the curriculum

Find out more about Artsmark
Artsmark Logo
Schools

“I am hugely supportive of the Stephen Spender Trust’s work in schools. The project’s leaders have a clear understanding of how to motivate and enthuse both children and non-specialist teachers, promoting language learning and opening children’s eyes to the opportunities which languages offer them.”

Julie Jones Short Wood Primary School
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