Programme Resource

Young Birmingham Poets participants' area

Added 04 Dec 2018
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Current opportunities

We are currently seeking schools in Birmingham to get involved in our funded poetry programme for class groups of students in Years 5 to 9 from Autumn 2021.

The project will run throughout the school year and will involve:

  • Engagement with a local cultural venue, through a class visit or similar activity
  • A poetry workshop with local professional poet, in-school or virtual

To register your interest please email francesca.bonafede@literacytrust.org.uk

Participant information

This area is for schools involved in the Young Birmingham Poets project and downloads on this page are restricted to programme participants.

If you have any questions about the project please contact francesca.bonafede@literacytrust.org.uk

The project

Through a visit to cultural venue Young Birmingham Poets helps to inspire pupils to write poetry of their own.

Following the visit to a cultural venue, schools taking part in the project receive a workshop with a poet to help the pupils shape and develop their poems. Teachers taking part in the project reported improvements in their pupils' attitudes to writing and attainment.

This project is aimed at groups of reluctant writers in Years 5 to 9 from state schools with over 25% of pupils receiving free school meals.

Schools will receive

  • A teacher CPD focusing on using a memorable experience to inspire reluctant writers
  • A set of resources for a sequence of lessons on local and personal/family history, or a memorable experience for students (this could involve a visit to a cultural venue or a socially distanced alternative)
  • An online or in person visit from a poet to work with the class on editing and performing their poems
  • Membership of the National Literacy Trust worth £100, with access to courses and resources to support literacy teaching in school
  • The opportunity for students to perform their poetry either online or in person
  • A free Audible account full of great audiobooks to inspire your students
  • A chance for students to be published in an anthology.

We ask that:

  • You deliver at least five lessons with your class, using the venue workshop or the local or personal/family history resources as inspiration for their poetry writing
  • You nominate and ensure the inclusion of your students in the performance and publishing opportunities
  • You and your students complete the post-project evaluation survey
  • You complete all visits and workshops by the end of spring term 2022
  • You copy francesca.bonafede@literacytrust.org.uk into all emails with cultural venues and poets

Timeline

  • Autumn term 2021: training sessions
  • January/February 2022: working with your allocated cultural venue, or delivery of lessons on local and personal/family history
  • February/March 2022: a workshop from your allocated professional poet

Follow-up activities include the publication of an anthology of students' poetry, and performance opportunities

Useful resources and documents