The Power of Online Poetry Workshops
Why I Started Running Online Workshops
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting thousands of primary schools for in-person poetry days. These days are always special — full of laughter, performance, and creativity. But I often hear from smaller rural schools and those in remote areas who struggle to find the funds to book me in person.
I didn’t want any school to miss out on the joy and power of poetry. That’s why, in October 2023, I launched my series of online poetry workshops. These live sessions give every school, no matter their size or location, the chance to take part in a high-quality poetry experience at an affordable price.
Since then, over 500 schools have joined me online, with more than 30,000 children participating.
What Happens in an Online Poetry Workshop?
My online workshops take place live on Zoom and last around 90 minutes. They are mostly aimed at KS2 pupils, though I sometimes run sessions for KS1 too.
Here’s what a typical workshop looks like:
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Live poem performances – I begin by sharing a few of my own fun poems to get everyone laughing and engaged.
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Guided writing – I lead pupils and teachers step-by-step in creating their own exciting poem.
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Performing together – Children have the opportunity to read out their poems live, so other schools can hear and celebrate their work.
👉 Teachers tell me this final part is always their favourite — pupils love the thrill of performing for a real audience across different schools.
Online Workshops Throughout the School Year
One of the great benefits of online workshops is that I can run them at key moments in the school calendar. Since October 2023 I have delivered 15 online poetry workshops, including:
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National Poetry Day
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World Book Day
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Christmas
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Burn’s Night
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EURO 2024 Football Championships
These events have become highlights for many schools, giving them a cost-effective way to celebrate poetry as a whole community.
Special Guests and Themed Workshops
While I lead most of the workshops myself, I sometimes invite brilliant guest experts to co-host. These have included:
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Nicola Colton – children’s illustrator.
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Ben Clarke (Viking School Days) – for a Viking-themed history workshop.
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Show Racism the Red Card charity – for an inspiring anti-racism poetry workshop.
These sessions show how poetry can connect with art, history, sport, and social themes — making it more meaningful for children.
Affordable for Every School
My online poetry workshops are priced at £50 + VAT, which includes two Zoom connections. That means schools can connect two classrooms, or a hall and a classroom, at no extra cost. Larger schools can purchase additional links if needed.
Compared to the cost of a full in-person visit, this makes online workshops an affordable way for every school — especially smaller or rural ones — to give their pupils access to a professional poet.
Why Schools Love Online Poetry Workshops
The feedback has been fantastic. Teachers say their pupils:
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Feel inspired to write more creatively.
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Gain confidence in speaking and performing aloud.
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Enjoy hearing children from other schools perform.
Thanks to Zoom, schools that once thought a poetry day was out of reach can now join in and be part of something special.
How to Book an Online Poetry Workshop
I run regular workshops throughout the year, with guaranteed sessions on:
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National Poetry Day
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World Book Day
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Christmas
I also run themed workshops at special times of the year, so there’s always something new to try.
👉 To book your place, email me at ianbland@ianbland.com and I will get your school signed up.
Conclusion
The power of online poetry workshops is that they make poetry accessible for every school — large or small, urban or rural. No child should miss out on the magic of poetry, and with these live, interactive sessions, thousands of pupils can laugh, write, and perform together.
If you’d like your school to be part of this exciting journey, get in touch today — I’d love to welcome you to my next workshop.
