Well Versed Poetry

Launched on National Poetry Day 2010, led by CCE in partnership with the literature development agencies New Writing North, Writers’ Centre Norwich, and Writing West Midlands, the Well Versed Poetry project has set out to find ways to transform how children experience poetry in school.

The project has invested in new poetry, creative writing courses for teachers and professional development for poets who work alongside them. The project has gained national and regional media coverage throughout the year, including a launch piece in The Times Educational Supplement, local and regional press, and features in Teach Primary, EDP 24 and QA Education.

Former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion, who is supporting Well Versed, commented: "A revitalised experience of poetry in schools and beyond will allow poetry to become better connected with what it reflects – which is life itself."

Paul Collard, Chief Executive of Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), said: "Poetry has a central role to play in school. The intrinsic value of introducing children and young people to an art form they can easily and pleasurably explore for the rest of their lives, is balanced by the impact that an introduction to poetry can have on developing their reading, writing and language skills, so central to their success as adults. But these benefits are only derived if the quality of the teaching of poetry is good. Well Versed has explored how working directly with poets can improve the capacity of teachers to work effectively with poetry in the classroom and I am delighted that the evidence suggests it has had a measurable and sustainable impact."

Visit the Well Versed Poetry website

Read the Evaluation Report on Well Versed Poetry