Learning, reciting, and performing poetry helps children develop vital communication and collaboration skills that serve them far beyond the classroom. Through choral speaking and performance poetry, students learn how to project their voices, use tone and expression, and listen carefully to one another. Working as a group to bring a poem to life requires coordination, concentration, and a shared sense of timing. Each child must contribute their voice while remaining part of a collective performance, an exercise in teamwork, empathy, and respect.

Poetry also ignites creativity and imagination. Whether interpreting the humour in a narrative poem or exploring the imagery of a reflective piece, children learn to think critically about language and meaning. They discover the power of words to evoke emotion, tell stories, and inspire change. Above all, our approach to poetry nurtures confidence and curiosity. Standing before an audience, expressing ideas clearly, and connecting through rhythm and language gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride. It reminds them that their voices matter.

Each year, these skills come together in our much-loved Off By Heart Performance Poetry Festival, a highlight of the school calendar that celebrates creativity, expression, and the sheer joy of language. This annual festival showcases not only our students’ talent but also the confidence and collaboration that grow when children find their voice through poetry. Every poem performed and every verse recited helps our students grow as confident communicators, thoughtful collaborators, and creative thinkers, skills at the heart of global citizenship and lifelong learning