Poetryclass Introduction

What is Poetryclass?

Poetryclass is a project which aims to enthuse and empower teachers, equipping them with fresh ideas and methods for making the most of poetry in the classroom and across the curriculum. 

Working imaginatively with poetry in the classroom is a very effective way of learning about language and raising standards in literacy, as well as addressing other areas of learning and issues specific to individual pupils and their needs.

Our INSET sessions give teachers an opportunity to 'be creative' and experience the writing process themselves, placing them in the role of the student, with a chance to be stimulated and supported by professional poets. 

Our Poetryclass website also provides free lesson plans, articles, interviews and all kinds of resources for teachers to adapt and use with confidence in their own schemes of work.

Who is involved with Poetryclass?

Based all over the United Kingdom, a team of experienced and published poets, well versed in the problems associated with teaching poetry, advise teachers through INSET training on how to overcome preconceived ideas of poetry as 'stuffy', 'dry' and 'difficult'.

This team was created by teacher-turned-poet, Jean Sprackland, who was Poetryclass project manager from 2000 to 2003. The team themselves have generated written training packs and resource materials which, in conjunction with this website, are dedicated to the discussion of poetry in education.

What can Poetryclass offer teachers?

We have discovered that teachers welcome guidance when it comes to the teaching of poetry, and we can tailor inset sessions to match your needs. If there is a particular area that you would like support with, please get in touch to talk through the options.

We can offer a range of options including working with GCSE anthologies, exploring poetry across the curriculum, developing skills through poetry with target groups, or simply to inspire the reading and writing of poetry more widely.

For some ideas, please browse our past Poetryclass days.

What else is included in the training day?
  • A specially commissioned lesson plan by the poet exclusively prepared for the session and only available to those who attend.
  • A toolkit of tried-and-tested techniques designed to get students thinking, writing, redrafting and editing.
  • Ideas for developing students' oral work and performance skills.
  • Ideas for differentiation and progression.
  • Opportunities to raise questions and concerns.
  • Information about resources, opportunities for publication, competitions, further training.
  • The Poetry Society’s Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award anthologies, posters from Poems on the Underground along with other materials.
  • A copy of one of these highly acclaimed books for each participant - The Poetry Book for Primary Schools (ed. Anthony Wilson) or Jumpstart Poetry in the Secondary School (ed. Cliff Yates)

How much will a Poetryclass session cost?

There are a number of ways in which you, as a teacher, can participate in one of our Poetryclass INSET training sesions. Please see our Book a Poetryclass INSET page for further details.