Young City Poets (London)
A visit to an iconic London venue will inspire Young City Poets pupils to write poetry of their own.
Get involved
Young City Poets is aimed at reluctant writers in Years 5 to 9 from London state schools with over 24.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals.
We are now recruiting for our 2025-2026 project. If you would like to sign up your school, please register on the expression of interest form below.
In our 2025-2026 project, schools will participate in cultural venue visits and poetry writing workshops in autumn 2025, with a celebratory poetry performance event in March 2026.
If you have any questions please email young.writers@literacytrust.org.uk.
About the programme
Young City Poets is a writing-for-enjoyment project that enables pupils to engage with literacy on their own terms in a way that also meets national curriculum requirements for writing.
Every school participating in Young City Poets will receive a teaching briefing as well as ongoing support to use our three-pillar approach to writing to galvanise pupils’ engagement with poetry.
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Memorable experience
A visit to a cultural venue in London will provide the spark for students' creative imagination.
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Visit from a poet
Pupils will engage in lively guided discussions, collaborative and individual writing activities led by a practising poet.
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Purposeful writing
Opportunities to perform their poetry in front of a live audience, and to be published in an anthology provide students with real purpose for creative work.
We ask that...
- You deliver two lessons with your class (lesson plans are provided)
- You nominate and ensure the inclusion of your students in the performance and publishing opportunities
- You and your students complete the post-project evaluation surveys
Sign up now to register interest
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, please complete our form and we'll be in touch.
The programme in action
"A student came into YCP feeling indifferent towards the project and poetry itself. 'Poetry is boring, why am I here?' They then went on to go on the trip, play an active part in the visiting poet workshop, sent me work to edit and went on to perform at St Paul's with arguably the best poem of the group."
London Teacher
"The Young City Poets project provided our students with the remarkable experience of viewing the city of London through the lens of art."
London teacher
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