Inspiring and Reflective Poetry workshops for both Primary and Secondary Schools exploring the theme of "Refuge"

 

"The immersion aspect was particularly effective in engaging the pupils and this led to high standards of written poetry. All teachers were full of praise for the workshops and were delighted with the pupil outcomes and engagement. We would love to arrange another visit for next year!" Head of English, Immanuel and St Andrews School

Workshop Description

Poetry
EYFS-Y6 / P1-P7 and KS3/KS4/S1-S5
Multiple workshops over one day
60 per workshop (primaries) 30 per workshop (secondaries)
Large space required in primary schools. Classroom based for secondaries

Refuge Rhymes - Primary Workshop

Refuge Rhymes comprises workshops in which pupils explore and use the poetic form of dramatic monologue to write persuasive, collaborative verses focusing on: Refuge for Animals (EYFS – Year 2/P1 – P3) … Refuge for Friends (Years 3 & 4/P4 & P5 … and Refuge for Strangers (Years 5 & 6/P6 & P7). 

Refuge Rhymes can accommodate the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day, opening with an assembly at which a member of our team shares a favourite poem. If time allows, we can include a second assembly, too – during which classes perform their poems. It’s also possible, too, to deliver longer workshops to fewer classes – and these longer workshops would see children writing some of their own individual poems too. Whichever option you choose, though, we will send you designed and illustrated versions of all the work. 

 

“I wanted to email to thank you for today's inspiring (streamed) workshops. The pupils were all fully engaged through your scientific knowledge and your inclusive poetry collaboration which was both fun and successful. This term I run a poetry club for Year 5 and in today's session we used a random object generator to choose a subject about which to write a clerihew to follow up from your workshop." Clifton High School

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Jo for delivering such fantastic, fun and engaging (Poetry) sessions with our children.  Jo, you have such a warm, positive manner with the children and they were all engaged and inspired!   What a lovely way to end the term and this time learning remotely." Beechwood Prep

 

Refuge Rhymes -Secondary Workshop

Recent events across the world have made us all even more aware of the need to offer refuge to people less fortunate than ourselves. But more aware, too, of the charged atmosphere often surrounding the issue. Refuge Rhymes strips away the rhetoric in workshops seeing students exploring and using the poetic form of dramatic monologue to write persuasive, collaborative verses focusing on the raw humanity of the challenge. 

Refuge Rhymes can accommodate up to 30 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 workshops to fewer groups – and these longer workshops would see students writing some of their own individual poems too. Whichever option you choose, though, we will send you designed and illustrated versions of all the work! 

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.

 

In a one-form entry junior school the timetable might look like this:

9.00 - 10.15: Year 3 workshop, in the classroom…

10.15 - 11.30: Year 4 workshop, in the classroom…

11.30 - 12.00: Year 5 workshop, in the classroom…

LUNCH

1.00 - 1.45: Year 5 workshop (cont'd)

1.45 - 3.00: Year 6 workshop, in the classroom.

In a secondary school the timetable might look like this:

9.00 - 10.00: Session 1

10.00 - 11.00: Session 2

11.00 - 12.00: Session 3

LUNCH

1.00 - 2.00: Session 4

2.00 - 3.00: Session 5

Are there any technical requirements?

Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in each working space, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint.

 

How many pupils can take part in one day?

In primary schools, Refuge Rhymes can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop - that's the whole of a two-form entry school in just one day!

In secondary schools, Refuge rhymes can accommodate up-to 30 students per session - that's up to 150 students in just one day.

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