Falling in Love with Poetry
I’ve always loved using poetry in my school library. As the Librarian at Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery, I’m lucky to see the joy
that poetry brings to children every day.
Two of my all-time favourites are Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf by Roald Dahl. Reading these during class visits to the library never fails to fill the room with laughter and smiles.
Our poetry collection holds a special place in the library — right at the centre — because I believe poetry should be at the heart of reading for pleasure.
Inspired to Aim High
At our SEEAT (South East Essex Academy Trust) conference, keynote speaker Abrilli Phillip, Head of Education Transformation at London Borough of Camden, shared a powerful message and her vision: every child should be expected to aim high — no matter their background and ethnicity, to make education fair and equal. That message struck a chord with me. I immediately thought of one particular child I wanted to champion — a student who struggled with reading, confidence, and self-belief. Poetry, I realised, could be the key to reaching him.
Finding the Perfect Project
I’m always on the lookout for ways to make reading fun and accessible. That’s when I discovered Poetry by Heart — a free national competition celebrating spoken poetry and including the opportunity to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
With my Headteacher’s support and collaboration with our Oracy Lead Mrs Butler, we decided to focus on Year 4, giving them the opportunity to learn and perform poetry in class. The Poetry by Heart website was a treasure trove — easy to use, beautifully designed, and packed with high-quality resources that inspired both teachers and students.
Learning Through Rhythm and Sound
Every week, I worked with six SEND children in the library for half an hour. We chose a lively poem, full of rhythm and onomatopoeia.
To make it accessible for everyone, we learned the poem orally first. Then each child received one line of the poem as a simple prompt. Soon, half the group didn’t even need the words — the transformation was magical!
Their confidence soared. Faces lit up. That spark — that buzz — reminded me why I work in education: to celebrate every child’s success.
Building Confidence, One Line at a Time
Each line of the poem ended with a sound, so there was no “right” or “wrong” — only creativity. The children added their own unique touches, which gave them pride and ownership.
At first, teamwork was tricky. Learning to listen, take turns, and respect each other’s space took patience. But slowly, they began to understand that every person mattered — the poem only worked if they worked together.
Certain children began to shine. Their memory, focus, and enthusiasm grew with every session. We went on to use the Poetry by Heart calendar to explore new poems, keeping things fresh and exciting.
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Wins
Not every session was smooth — some days it took half the lesson to settle. But the joy of watching them perform their lines, remember the words, and beam with pride made it all worthwhile.
Eventually, they began asking if they could recite the poem alone. They wanted to take copies home and perform as a group — and even enter the Poetry by Heart competition!
One child in particular, who once refused to read aloud, went on to perform solo — perfectly remembering every word. It was a true “Wow moment.” Watching him grow taller with pride after sharing his performance with our deputy head was unforgettable.
