The National
Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford is fostering a love of creative writing and
performing in Bradford’s youngsters through the launch of an exciting
literacy programme called Our Stories aimed at pupils aged 10–13 years.
The programme feeds
into one of the objectives of the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford to
improve literacy skills in the district by inspiring and motivating reluctant
writers, especially boys, to do more creative writing. Developed in
partnership with local poets, Bradford Museums and Galleries, Bradford
Council’s Music and Arts Service and the Bradford Literature Festival, the
initiative offers a range of opportunities for youngsters to explore the
poetry genre, as well as writing and performance poetry techniques.
The programme
includes:
- A resource pack for teachers- Imran Hafeez,
Manager of the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford has channelled his
passion for creative writing and performance into developing a resource pack
for teachers, using the expertise of local poets and eachers, as well as schools practitioner and poet Francesca
Beard. The resource pack features fun activities for focused sessions that
correspondto National Curriculum literacy requirements across Years 6-8 and
includes work by local contemporary poets and spoken word artists including
Joolz Denby and Dumi Senda.
- Visits from local poets –poetry is
being brought to life through workshops run by Imran Hafeez and local poet,
Saju Iqbal Ahmed at Dixons Allerton Academy, University Academy Keighley,
Hanson Primary School and Horton Park Primary School.
- A literacy activity called the ‘Art
and Science of Noticing’ developed by Bradford Museums and Galleries’
learning team which gives children the freedom to choose what to explore in
their collections through drawing and poetry.
- A Take Over Day at Cartwright Hall Art
Gallery based on the national ‘Kids in Museums’ initiative which develops
pupils’ literacy skills by taking over some of the jobs in the gallery.
- Music workshops – Music tutor Beccy
Owen will run workshops with pupils to engage them in performing and
recording their own work.
Stacy Walsh, a Year 6 teacher at Hanson Primary School said:
“Youngsters have
really enjoyed working collaboratively to produce poems and perform their own
pieces which I can see is really building their confidence in voicing their
own thoughts and experiences in a creative way. It's really rewarding to see students who previously
were so disengaged, and so turned off from poetry, actually being active participants
and arguing over who gets to perform first! Such a great response is a
massive testament to how good the resource is.”
Imran Hafeez, Manager of the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford said:
“We’re thrilled by
the positive response we’ve already had from schools for this programme which
aims to make poetry accessible, fun
and inclusive for pupils of all abilities. Introducing drawing, games, music
and museums and galleries as prompts to spark ideas really helps children tap
into their creativity and explore their identity through the written and
spoken word. Collaboration and performance is key, so we’re delighted
children are sharing their work with such enthusiasm.
The National
Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford is all about harnessing the wonderful talents
and resources we have in the community to inspire young people and families
to engage with literacy, so we’re very pleased to have Bradford Museums and
Galleries, Bradford Council’s Music and Arts Service and the Bradford
Literature Festival supporting our work.”
Year 5 and Year 6
teacher at Horton Park Primary School, Shahnaz Bi said:
“Poetry is great
for stimulating creativity and enhancing vocabulary, so this programme really
appealed. It offers a plenty of inspiration, including local role models which children can relate
to, cultural experiences and the opportunity for students to enjoy
collaborating and performing. We’re looking forward to seeing their
communication skills develop.”
Poet, Saju Iqbal
Ahmed said:
“My experience of learning poetry in school tended to be boring, the same poems were looked at over and over which killed my enjoyment. Without the enjoyment I was unable to understand the meaning. I was introduced to Khadijah Ibrahim who became my mentor in creative writing by using a mix of old and new poets as well as hip hop for the modern era of poetry to show that there is no difference in expression. I then joined Leeds Young Authors and I have the privilege to perform all the over the world
I
enjoy helping young people find out who they are and become the definition they feel confident with
through creative writing. What I love most is re-igniting their imaginations,
and see their eyes open wide with pride that they have managed to write a poem
which is all theirs to keep and to share. I love to see their confidence grow.”