The Shoreditch Star is a publication which is produced by Shoreditch Trust as part of the communications and partnerships strategy, working with schools in Hackney.

Published in newsprint and magazine format, each issue is themed by a topic, which is then explored through reportage, workshops, visits, creative writing, art and design. The contents of each issue are developed with hundreds of school children aged 9 to 12 in primary and secondary classrooms. Workshops, visits and other opportunities are facilitated by Shoreditch Trust staff, and with the assistance of a range of partner organisations with particular expertise.

Project Objectives


The Shoreditch Star is read by thousands of children with their teachers, parents and relatives, and across the communities of Shoreditch and Hackney. The publication forms part of Shoreditch Trust’s communications strategy, and endeavours to involve and inspire the widest range of local children while engaging them in the process of physical and social regeneration. The work produced in the publication in turn informs the Shoreditch Trust agenda. Though not primarily a curriculum tool, it is widely used to enhance the curriculum in schools, with teachers using it to model and inspire excellence.

Previous Issues include:

Great History explored 2000 years of Shoreditch history from Roman times through Shakespeare to World War II and Alfred Hitchcock.


Space contained articles and artwork exploring architectural/environmental ‘spaces we live in’, and ‘outer space’.

Telling Stories developed creative literacy skills through play‐scripts, photo‐stories and portraits, biography and autobiography, myths and legends, and investigative journalism

Olympics & Paralympics used the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games to inspire children to investigate Olympian history, legacy, heroes, architecture; to design mascots, sportswear, board games, fitness and healthy eating charts; and to create comics and stories for a special double issue

Environment explored contemporary issues and experiences of the world and communities we live in, focusing especially on climate change, through the twin themes of ‘environment’ and ‘architecture’.

Art and Design Special Edition brought a range of visual artists into schools to look at why we create art, and produce new work with children; and explore cultural history, practice, exhibitions and art in public spaces through partnerships with galleries, museums and the University of the Arts – Camberwell College of Art and the UAL Widening Participation department.