Mentoring Young Poet Laureates
- Dec 5, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
When Sharena from the National Literacy Trust asked if I'd like to be one of the mentors in this National Poetry Centre initiative, it was her grassroots values that made it a yes.
The schools involved are chosen by their ratio of free school meals attendees; and some of the Young Poets have gone from difficult early lives to end-up with affirming experiences such as performing at their favourite football stadium and then becoming their team's mascot; meeting the queen; or having their own words painted as a large mural on the side of a building...
The Young Poet Laureate programme aims to inspire a new generation of young poets. 1000 schools across the country are taking part. and 120 children will be selected for further mentoring.
I visited two schools in Plymouth, to help pupils get excited about the project, generate some amazing writing, and begin crafting some potential submissions. The standards of enthusiasm and creativity were brilliant - and as the process continues there will also be a teacher's resource pack, featuring work from each of us poet-facilitators involved.
For a little window into one of the participating schools:
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