What Happens During a Poetry Day in Your Primary School?
Inviting a poet into your school can feel exciting, but teachers often wonder what actually happens during a poetry day. How is the day structured? What will the children do? Will it link to the curriculum?
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect from a poetry day in schools. From whole-school assemblies to class workshops, you’ll see how I can inspire your pupils, spark creativity, and build confidence in reading, writing, and performing.
Morning Assembly: Setting the Tone
The day usually begins with a lively whole-school assembly. I like to perform a selection of my poems to get the children laughing, listening, and excited. This creates a buzz across the school and shows pupils that poetry is fun, engaging, and alive.
👉 Benefit: Children immediately see poetry as something to be enjoyed, not just studied.
Class Workshops: Creative Poetry in Action
After assembly, I usually lead workshops with individual classes or year groups. Each session is tailored to the age group:
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KS1 might explore rhyme, rhythm, and simple performance poems.
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KS2 might tackle kennings, puzzle poems, narrative poetry, or performance pieces.
👉 Benefit: Pupils get hands-on experience writing and performing their own poems, with plenty of encouragement and laughter along the way.
Afternoon Sharing Assembly
Many schools finish the day with a second assembly where children perform the poems they’ve created. This builds confidence, teamwork, and a sense of achievement. Teachers, parents, and even governors often comment on the excitement these performances generate.
👉 Benefit: Children leave the day proud of their writing and eager to share poetry with others.
Extra Benefits for Teachers
A poetry day isn’t just valuable for pupils. Teachers often pick up new activities and approaches they can use in their own lessons. Ideas like calligrams, kennings, or rap poetry can be reused to make literacy lessons more creative long after I have left.
FAQs About Poetry Days
How much does a poetry day in schools cost?
Costs vary, but most poets charge a daily rate between £600–£700 + VAT.
What age groups are poetry days suitable for?
All primary year groups — from Reception to Year 6. Activities are adapted to suit each age.
Do poetry days link to the curriculum?
Yes — they support National Curriculum aims for reading, writing, performing, and memorising poetry.
Can we book online workshops instead?
Yes — online poetry workshops are a cost-effective option, allowing multiple classes or schools to join in virtually.
Conclusion
A poetry day in your school is far more than just a fun event — it’s a chance to inspire every child with creativity, confidence, and a love of language. From whole-school assemblies to classroom workshops, pupils discover that poetry is something to enjoy, perform, and take pride in.
If you’d like to give your school this experience, book a poetry day with me. I offer both in-person visits and online workshops designed to bring poetry to life for children of all ages.
