Greenacres Primary 'buzzes with creativity' during hectic Poetry Week

Poet Andy Tooze pictured with the Greenacres Primary Academy children

Each year, Greenacres Primary Academy celebrates the creativity and imagination that poetry can inspire in young readers and writers with a dedicated Poetry Week.

Every class, from Reception to Year 6, learns a poem and recites it at the school’s Poetry Slam.

This gives pupils practice in public performance – practice that proved itself this year when the school won two awards at the Oldham Choral Speaking Festival this summer.

But the highlight of the week for pupils and staff alike is the annual visit of ‘The Poet from the Peaks’ Andy Tooze and his illustrator, Martin Olsson.

Over two days, the pair teach workshops to every class, exploring ways for the children to express themselves in words and pictures, and thinking about a wider theme.

Past themes have included the centenary of the First World War, politics and democracy, and the school’s 50th anniversary.

This year’s theme was diversity and inclusion, encouraging children to think about the similarities and differences that we all share.

Vice principal Tim Roach said: “Poetry Week is one of the highlights of the busy autumn term, and everyone’s excited about the visit of Andy and Martin.

"The school buzzes with creativity, language and rhyme.

"It’s one of the things about Greenacres that the children love, and it’s great to have that recognised by visitors to school.”

Greenacres Primary Academy was recently judged a ‘good school’ by Ofsted, with personal development classed as ‘outstanding’.

The report said: “Leaders’ commitment to nurture and celebrate the talents of all pupils is exemplary.”

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