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Poetry By Heart

@poetrybyheart.bsky.social
2K followers 1K following 306 posts

National schools poetry recitation competition, open to all schools and colleges in England, re-igniting a love of poetry. poetrybyheart.org.uk

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Lawrence Schimel @lawrenceschimel.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
#poetry #writingcommunity #irishpoets #irishpoetry #ukpoetry #ukpoets #poetrysky
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Poetry By Heart is loved by teachers for its many benefits plus the sheer #poetry joy it brings into schools. For 2026 –2027 there's a different funding model and a new set of options to support schools to take part. Find out more & ask us about available grants poetrybyheart.org.uk/about/our-of...
Graphic explaining the flexible plans for schools offered by Poetry By Heart.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
📣MFL, EAL, English teachers!Bring creative translation into the classroom with @stephenspender.bsky.social Translate into English ANY poem from ANY language or a Polish poem for the Polish Spotlight. Free entry UK & Irish schools, for pupils of all ages www.stephen-spender.org/stephen-spender-prize/
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The Children's Poetry Summit @cpsummit.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Jonathan Sellars: Taking Poetry for a Spin childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/07/16/j...
childrenspoetrysummit.com
Jonathan Sellars: Taking Poetry for a Spin
I first got the idea of using a Spinning Wheel of Poetry after shadowing the brilliant poet Justin Coe. Justin had a wheel he occasionally used in workshops and advised that unveiling it to a room …
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Here's hoping the whole of England will be over the moon tonight #worldcup Meanwhile, why not explore Speech Balloon by Imtiaz Dharker @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/speech...
A photograph of poet Imtiaz Dharker standing on the stage of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe at the launch of Poetry By Heart.
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Andrea Reece @reeceandrea.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Such a brilliant day! A celebration of #poetry and the joy of learning poems by heart. So many wonderful poetry performances ❤️
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
We have a selection of John's poems on the Poetry By Heart website, including Checking Out Me History (2004) with videos of some superb finalists performances #poetry poetrybyheart.org.uk/search/john%...
poetrybyheart.org.uk
Poetry By Heart
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Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Congratulations to John Agard, just announced winner of the #CLiPPA26 for THE POETRY WORLD OF JOHN AGARD, illustrated by Shirley Hottier published by Otter-Barry Books🎉 Playful, serious poetry and an unprecedented third win👏@theclpe.bsky.social #KidLit booksforkeeps.co.uk/extraordinar...
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Shakespeare's Globe on 6 July to celebrate the finalists in this year's natoinal poetry speaking competition. Congratulations to everyone who took part and learned a poem by heart ❤️ #poetry #edusky Not taken part before? Register now! poetrybyheart.org.uk
A view of the Poetry By Heart Grand Finale with the audience in the galleries and in the yard of Shakespeare's Globe, watching a young woman perform a poem she has learned by heart on the stage.
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Claraisreading 🌿💙📚📚 @claramay.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
More good news on the wonderful @poetrybyheart.bsky.social
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Elizabeth Draper @draperel @draperel.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Delighted to be representing @englishassociation.bsky.social at @poetrybyheart.bsky.social ❤️ at #TheGlobeTheatre #GrandFinale 🎉😎 👏🏼👏🏼
Photo of the PBH programme cover 
Pic of Globe theatre stage with student performing her chosen poem at the Grand Finale
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Karen Goodwin @mssgoodwin.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
What a special day. Thanks @poetrybyheart.bsky.social for having us.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
It's coming home (poetry that is!) To Shakespeare's Globe and the Grand Finale of Poetry By Heart, the nation's poetry speaking competition. A preview here of what's happening at this truly inspiring celebration 🔽#EduSky #KidLitUK poetrybyheart.org.uk
Cover of the programme for the 2026 Poetry By Heart Grand Finale showing young people on the stage at the Globe ready to perform poems they have learned by heart out loud.
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Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
‘Poetry has given our children the confidence to express themselves’: two teachers at a primary in a disadvantaged area explain the unexpected, wide-ranging impact of a school poetry club
tes.com
How our primary school got children to fall in love with poetry
This school has created such a buzz about poetry that younger pupils are excitedly talking about joining Poetry Club when they’re old enough. Teachers Sarah Horspole and Madeline Coe explain how they did it
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Clare Pollard @poetclare.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Ooh interesting. Next gen is back. I was on the judging panel in 2014… assumed as we missed 2024 we weren’t doing it this decade…
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The Friday Poem @thefridaypoem.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The song of all the seas open.substack.com/pub/thefrida...
open.substack.com
The song of all the seas
Annie Fisher and Hilary Menos discuss the five shortlisted books for the 2026 CLiPPA prize for children’s poetry.
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coralrumble.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
POEM 12 From ‘Riding a Lion’ (7yrs+) This term, I’m sharing 2 poem videos weekly, forming 2 collections on my YouTube channel, @rumblecoral. Ask your pupils to imagine picking up or catching a sound. They could write a poem about it. Click link to view! Fb
youtube.com
Why You Shouldn't Catch A Witches Cackle
YouTube video by Coral Rumble
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Next Generation Poets is BACK! Founded in 1994 to champion the 20 best debut UK and Irish poets of the decade. We're delighted to be a youth programme partner. Submissions are now open, closing on 14 August at 5pm. To enter, visit: www.poetrybooks.co.uk/pages/next-g... #NextGenerationPoets
Graphic advertising the Next Generation Poets initiative.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
❤️ We'll be celebrating the achievements of Sarah and the St Nicholas Priory Poetry Club on Monday at the Poetry By Heart Grand Finale, Shakespeare's Globe. Inspired to follow their example? Find free advice, support and materials on our website. #EduSky www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Great Yarmouth school wins award for enriching lives with poetry
An after-school poetry club will travel to the Globe Theatre in London to pick up the Special Award.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Great performance of your poem 'The Book' at the beginning @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social - a Poetry By Heart competition favourite - and some excellent poems written by the children themselves too. #booksky #edusky
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Lovely BBC Look East report on the Poetry Club at St Nicholas Priory Primary School in Great Yarmouth. Members of the club & teacher Sarah Horspole will be at our Grand Finale at Shakespeare's Globe to receive a Special Award for the way they have embraced #poetry ❤️ www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
A screenshot of the BBC Look East studio bedecked with Poetry By Heart branding at the beginning of their excellent report on the Poetry Club at St Nicholas Priory Primary School Great Yarmouth.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
📢 teachers! If you want to inspire your class to read & share #poetry, the best way is to read them poems. Use the Poetry By Heart method to take away the fear and to make sure you all get the most out of it. Tips and a step by step in TEACHING TIMES #edusky www.teachingtimes.com/how-to-read-...
teachingtimes.com
How To Read Poetry To Your Class Without Fear - TeachingTimes
Teachers already have lots to worry about; how to share poetry with your class shouldn’t be one of them. Poetry by Heart's Mariah Whelan has some expert advice to get you started.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Poetry News from @poetrysociety.org.uk is always required reading. Great to be included with this item on how war poetry is proving particularly popular in this year’s competition: “an intriguing response to our times" says Julie Blake. #poetry #edusky poetrybyheart.org.uk/showcase/2
Cover and inside page of Poetry News, the newspaper of the Poetry Society.Text of news item in Poetry News: Which reads First World War poetry proved particularly popular in this year’s Poetry By Heart competition, “an intriguing response to our times by young people” says co-director Julie Blake. Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est always features together with The Show, Disabled and Exposure but less well-known war poems were selected too: I Sit and Sew by African-American poet Alice Dunbar Nelson, Edgell Rickward's A Soldier Addresses his Body, Sara Teasdale's There will come soft rains and Helen Mackay's poem of war partings Train. 
Other classics young people chose to learn include Break of Day in the Trenches by Isaac Rosenberg, Laurence Binyon's For the Fallen, Alan Seeger's I Have a Rendezvous with Death, Strange Hells by Ivor Gurney, and Siegfried Sassoon’s Suicide in the Trenches with modern poems responding to the First World War featuring too: Andrew Motion's Death of Harry Patch, Owen Sheers's Mametz Wood, and Imtiaz Dharker's poem A Century Later, itself a response to Anthem for Doomed Youth.
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The Poetry Society @poetrysociety.org.uk · 16/06/2026
"Ponies decorate the surface like little ornaments. They are given this word: wild," Jonah Corren's poem about wild ponies, 'Semi-feral', was commended in our Young Poets Network 'Earthlings, Building' ecopoetry challenge about multi-species habitats. poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/semi-f...
Screenshot of a poem in black text on white background. The text says 'Semi-feral by Jonah Corren. Ponies decorate the surface like little ornaments.
They are given this word: wild,
excising them from their cousins tucked
into comfy stables and hand-fed sugar and oats.
Wild contains uncivility and freedom
in a way which makes them the same. Something truly
wild must, in our imagining, be elusive, wary of us.
This landscape has wild scrawled over its outcrops of rock
and swathes of luminous gorse. When you enter,
the wild envelops you so completely
that you wonder, briefly, if you’ve stepped
onto an alien planet. The sight of it
on the horizon is, even the hundredth time,
like the first glimpse of the sea after a life locked in land.
But look closer. The roads meander through these hills
like rivers, but they are not rivers. The stone crosses
are as snug as the stone tors, but they were driven into place
by pairs of weathered hands. And the ponies:
they were bred for service. Even removed from their task
by generations and set loose on the heathland
like a search party, you can get close enough still
to stroke their wiry backs, and feel the warmth
from their muzzles. Pliability is like a barbed blade.
Once it’s worked in, to tease it away
just means finishing the job.
What is the difference between wild and abandoned?
How do you tell which is which? Walk up to it
with slow, deliberate paces. Hold out your empty palm.'
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University English @univeng.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
"If you could change one common opinion about the English Literature degree or literature in general, what would it be?" In preparation for our symposium (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/englishcre...), we've asked our student panellists the question above. Here's the first of many insights they'll share!
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coralrumble.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Yes, this is the first day the book officially exists, so it can set off and take its ISBN number on a walk around book shops and libraries everywhere! (There’s optimism for you. 😬)
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Rishi Dastidar @betarish.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Delighted to be on The Verb on BBC Radio 4 yesterday, with a new commission, plus a little something from Cherry Blossom. It was a hoot to record, hope that comes across. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
The Verb - Myths to nourish your life: poetry with Ian McMillan and Angie Hobbs, Rishi Dastidar, Bradley Taylor, Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch - BBC Sounds
Ian McMillan with Angie Hobbs, Rishi Dastidar, Bradley Taylor, Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
📣 MFL, EAL, English teachers! Bring creative #translation into the classroom this summer term with the Stephen Spender Prize. Translate ANY poem from ANY language or a Polish poem for the Polish Spotlight. Free for all UK & Irish schools! Details: www.stephen-spender.org/stephen-spen...
Graphic advertising the Stephen Spender Poetry Prize 2026. Text reads We harness the power of language and translation to celebrate heritage, unlock creative and educational potential, and inspire communities.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Explore the NEW Poetry By Heart poem of the week, the beautiful Waterfall's Song by Zaro Weil. There are tips to help you create a sparkling performance & Word of the Week too, which is 'bonanza'. (Did you know it's a borrowing from Spanish?) #edusky #poetry www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/waterf...
Graphic advertising the new Poetry By Heart Poem of the Week which is Waterfall's Song by Zaro Weil.
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coralrumble.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
And what a privilege it is, to be involved with the fabulous @poetrybyheart.bsky.social
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A reminder that our new 4+ Timeline features poems by @jamescarterpoet.bsky.social, @joshuaseigal.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social & many more plus classics, including 'Charm' by Ben Jonson & hidden gems eg 'The Strawberry' by Mary Effie Lee Newsome #poetry poetrybyheart.org.uk/timeline/4plus
Image representing the new Poetry By Heart 4+ Timeline with photos of some of the poets featured.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Our #Poetry Forum is an informal drop-in session, created for educators, which runs Wednesdays after school in term-time & provides opportunities to develop rich pedagogical practices for poetry teaching. Come along! #EduSky Contact us now to secure your spot: poetrybyheart.org.uk/contact
Graphic advertising the Poetry By Heart Poetry Forum. Text reads:
An informal drop in session.
Get tips and advice from the Poetry By Heart team
Pick up ideas and inspiration from other teachers
All Poetry By Heart school organisers welcome - though if you're just thinking of taking part, you're welcome too.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
"As an English teacher, the process of choosing & learning a poem by heart, & creating a spoken performance, has given me new perspectives on #poetry." Teacher & finalist in the All Staff comp, Beth Cooper-Guest endorses the Poetry By Heart experience. www.sixthformcolleges.org/1412/blog-6/...
sixthformcolleges.org
Poetry by Heart: A teacher's-eye view
Beth Cooper-Guest is a Director of Faculty and an English literature teacher at Newcastle SFC. She’s worked as a Head of English for several yea...
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English and Media Centre @engmediacentre.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Recently, we've been working on a new course resource, EMC Writers' Toolkit. This detailed resource will be available for free for attendees of our face-to-face course, Write On – A Big Picture Writing Pedagogy to Develop Pupil Autonomy on 17th June. Click here to book: tinyurl.com/3ef8bpmc
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
We can't wait for the #PoetryByHeart Grand Finale at Shakespeare's Globe on 6 July. We'll be celebrating the achievements of our finalists and of everyone who took part this year. Inspired to give it a go? Find out more and sign up for 2027! ❤️ #poetry #EduSky poetrybyheart.org.uk/about
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry performance and foe being such superb ambassadors for #PoetryByHeart! #lovestc
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St Thomas Cantilupe Church of England Primary @st-thomascantilupe.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
What an opportunity - performing poetry at @hayfestival.bsky.social. Thank you to @poetrybyheart.bsky.social for your support and encouragement. #lovestc #poetry #englishstc
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
"One evening my friend Sophie messaged me at the end of her tether..." Find out how our Poetry Editor Mariah helped her friend, and pass her advice on to new parents! #poetry Thank you @booktrust.org.uk for the support ❤️ www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/fi...
booktrust.org.uk
Finding and sharing poems with the very young
Poet Mariah Whelan shares top tips and advice to help you discover rhymes for young children.
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Mariah Whelan @mwhelanwrites.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
What a blooming gorgeous poem from Zaro Weil to start the new month. Taken from the June pages of the calendar from @poetrybyheart.bsky.social
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Bravo! Poetry By Heart stars @hayfestival.bsky.social 👏👏👏
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St Barnabas CE Primary @stbarnabas.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
@michaelrosenyes.bsky.social check this out. Your poem being performed by an 8 year old in front of 1000 people @hayfestival.bsky.social What a joy!
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Faculty of English, University of Oxford @engfac.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
There's still time to register for our upcoming live #Shakespeare webinar on 1 June. This time Prof Emma Smith @oldfortunatus.bsky.social will be exploring ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM with guest Dr Iman Sheeha. 🗓️1 June 2026 at 6pm 📍Online via Zoom All welcome! Free but registration required.
shakespeare-webinar-arden-of-faversham.eventbrite.co.uk
English Faculty/OWC Shakespeare Webinar: Arden of Faversham
In this free webinar, Professor Emma Smith will be discussing the new edition of Arden of Faversham from Oxford World's Classics.
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The English Association @englishassociation.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Sign up! Free CPD ! #Poetry Hear about the brilliant @poetrybyheart.bsky.social ❤️https://englishassociation.ac.uk/voice-and-verse-poetry-by-heart-for-4-7-year-olds-4-june-2026-1645-1730/
englishassociation.ac.uk
Voice and verse: Poetry By Heart for 4-7-year-olds (4 June 2026, 16:45 - 17:30) | The English Association
We support the teaching, learning, and enjoyment of English at all levels of education, from early years to further and higher education and beyond.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
This is great! Love the idea of #poetry as portable - and thank you for the shout out for #PoetryByHeart too ❤️
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Gregory @gregorykearns.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
This weeks episode of The Poems We Made Along The Way (and first episode of series 7) is a conversation with the legendary Daljit Nagra. We spoke about his Poetry Extra BBC radio show, his use of the lyric 2nd person in his collection Yiewsley (published by @faberbooks.bsky.social), and much more.
open.spotify.com
Episode 51: Daljit Nagra - "Take that journey a bit further"
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
The Poetry By Heart Poem of the Week is a perfect way to discover new poems to enjoy together especially as they offer fun ways of sharing them out loud and by heart. Find out more and sign up 🔻 #Poetry #EduSky poetrybyheart.org.uk/poem-of-the-...
Graphic to advertise the Poetry By Heart Poem of the Week with text: Discover new poems to enjoy together every week in your email.
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English and Media Centre @engmediacentre.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
EMC CPD Webinar: English – The Cumulative Curriculum Explore cumulative approaches to English study which will help students apply their developing knowledge and skills. Book by: 8am on 2nd June
tinyurl.com
EMC CPD Webinar: English – The Cumulative Curriculum
A webinar exploring English as a subject in which cumulative approaches help students to apply their developing knowledge and skills in more sophisticated ways over time.
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English and Media Centre @engmediacentre.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
EMC CPD Webinar: English – The Cumulative Curriculum Explore cumulative approaches to English study which will help students apply their developing knowledge and skills. Book by: 8am on 2nd June
tinyurl.com
EMC CPD Webinar: English – The Cumulative Curriculum
A webinar exploring English as a subject in which cumulative approaches help students to apply their developing knowledge and skills in more sophisticated ways over time.
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Poetry By Heart @poetrybyheart.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Free #poetry resources for National Poetry Day 2026 are live now — poems and classroom activities exploring wonder, this year's theme, for all ages. And they're completely FREE to download: forwardartsfoundation.org/national-poe...
forwardartsfoundation.org
Poems and Resources - Forward Arts Foundation
A selection of poems and resources for children and young people that can be used to inspire on National Poetry Day and all year round!
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