School Workshops
Counting Achievement Through Poetry
Year on year, our National Poetry Day programmes prove popular and successful right across the country and we’ve developed a whole range of programmes to tie in with the theme of Counting: Counting Achievement Through Poetry.
Introduction
The world can sometimes seem a grim place to children and young people, with bad news seemingly everywhere. Counting Achievement Through Poetry is designed to go some way towards redressing the balance, though – by using poetry to celebrate the remarkable achievements of some remarkable people.
Workshop FAQs
What is the format of the day?
We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day. In a two-form entry primary school (with all year groups apart from Reception taking part in groups of up-to 60), the timetable might look like this:
09.00 – 09.20: (optional) Whole-school assembly, where your visitor will introduce the day…
09.20 – 10.00: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
10.00 – 10.40: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.40 – 11.20: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.20 – 11.50: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.30: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
1.30 – 2.10: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.10 – 2.50: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.50 – 3.30: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
Are there any technical requirements?
Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the school hall, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint.
What kind of space is required?
For groups of over 30, a large open space such as the school hall is required.
| Year Groups | EYFS-Y6 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Poetry |
| Pupil Numbers | 60 per workshop (primaries) |
| Duration | Multiple workshops over one day |
| Space | Large space required in primary schools. |
Workshop Testimonials
“Chris was absolutely incredible – the students gained so much for the workshop; albeit in sessions as short as half-an-hour. Students walked away with greater confidence and Chris really helped to create such a supportive and welcoming environment for all.
It was an absolute pleasure to work with you both, and I will definitely be in touch next year!”
“Chris was amazing and the feedback from all the teachers has been incredibly positive and the children got a lot out of it. I would imagine that I will be in contact again in the future to organise more workshops from you!”
“I wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for your incredible delivery of National Poetry Day workshops. Your passion for poetry was clear, and every single one of the teachers spoke highly of you and your sessions. Similarly, the children were buzzing with excitement- I have received messages from parents about pupils’ enjoyment as well. It was a great day, and I look forward to your next visit.”
“The girls at Glendower LOVED the workshops! – they enjoyed the workshops immensely and thought the facilitator was fantastic! – they gained confidence around poetry, in addition to understanding the freedom attached to the concept of creating their own poem. We can’t wait to have you back!”
Counting Achievement Through Poetry: Primary Schools
Counting Achievement Through Poetry can accommodate the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day: an assembly at which a member of our team shares a favourite poem, workshops culminating in collaborative poems and, if time allows, a second assembly, too – in which classes share and celebrate their poems.
In the workshops, children are introduced to three people whose achievements should be counted – and collectively choose one. They are then introduced to the poetic form of the List Poem, creating celebratory, collaborative poems focusing on: Counting the Achievements of Spacefarers (EYFS – Year 2/P1 – P3) … Counting the Achievements of Inventors (Years 3 & 4/P4 & P5) … Counting the Achievements of Scientists (Years 5 & 6/P6 & P7).
We will send you designed and illustrated versions of all the collaborative poems.
Counting Achievement Through Poetry: Secondary Schools
Counting Achievement Through Poetry can accommodate up to 30 KS3/4 students at a time, in workshops lasting from a single lesson, allowing a member of our team to work with a large number of students in just one day. It’s also possible, too, to deliver longer, more in depth workshops to fewer groups. Workshops introduce the students to three ordinary people who have made extraordinary achievements in terms of advancing justice, fairness and equality – and participants collectively choose one to focus on. They are then introduced to the poetic form of the List Poem, creating celebratory, collaborative poems focusing on their selected individual’s life, achievements and legacy.
We will send you designed and illustrated versions of all the collaborative poems.
Related Poetry Workshops
A Celebration in Rhyme
A celebration in Rhyme has been developed to help celebrate the stories your pupils love in verse.
Soundscape Poetry
Those pupils who said they don’t like poetry will be writing furiously at the end of this magical workshop.
Personification Poetry
Students will harvest the fruits of their imaginations and explore notions of empathy to construct uniquely moving poetry.