Transforming Literacy Through Poetry

Explore how reading, responding to, performing and writing poetry raises engagement and attainment in literacy and oracy.

Booking for this Masterclass session opens on Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Suitable for: Class teachers (EYFS-KS2, SEND), English Subject Leads, Senior Leadership.

Relevant areas of the National Curriculum: Language and vocabulary, oracy, reading, writing, PSED.

Date and Time: Tuesday 16 March 2027, 9am to 3.30pm

Venue: Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber Street, London SE1 8QW (map).

Venue accessibility: Step free access, accessible toilets and accessible parking.


Description of session

Explore how reading, responding to, performing and writing poetry raises engagement and attainment in literacy and oracy, in this session delivered by an expert advisory teacher from CLPE in partnership with award-winning children’s poet Kate Wakeling.

Detail of activity

In this Masterclass, you’ll explore how you can effectively build a spine for poetry throughout your school, incorporating approaches that will enrich and enhance the wider literacy provision.

You will investigate high quality poetry for different ages and the approaches and experiences that engage all children. You’ll learn how to develop the children’s skills in speaking and listening, fluency, comprehension, and the composition and publication of their independent writing.

Key areas of focus

  • Develop and extend children’s understanding and use of vocabulary through poetry.

  • Develop a wide knowledge of poets and poetry.

  • Learn how reading and performing poetry supports the development of fluency, allowing pupils to respond to texts at a greater depth.

  • Help children foster their own authentic voices through writing expressive poetry.

Takeaway

You will receive insights from the CLPE’s Power of Poetry research project, as well as a poetry collection for each primary phase and teaching plans to help put theory into practice.

Booking opens Wed 9 Sep