Poetry: we’re setting it in motion
17 December 2008
If there’s one way to make poetry really ‘live’ for children, it’s to get them to write it. That’s why Lloyd’s got together with the poetry charity Poet in the City. The idea was to give children from three schools in East London the chance to practice their poetry skills by taking part in interactive poetry workshops.
The day-long sessions were held in the autumn term at Tower Hamlets primary schools Canon Barnett and Columbia, and the Mulberry Secondary School for Girls. Around 150 budding Wordsworths, Shelleys, Larkins and Heaneys got to work alongside professional poets. They learned about the dynamics of poetry and then set to work on their own ideas around the theme of conflict and instability (tying in with Lloyd’s own research as part of the 360 Risk Project).
At the Mulberry School for Girls, the poet Ife Pianku got everyone thinking by asking them to contribute words and phrases; these were then turned into poems and recited by the pupils.
Graham Henderson, Chief Executive of Poet in the City said: “We are delighted that Lloyd’s got involved. Poetry can make a real difference to children’s lives as it allows them to explore new concepts, and it is a delight to see their animated faces after the workshops.”
Poet in the City has introduced thousands of children to reading and poetry since it was founded in 1998. In the last ten years, it has funded around 120 placements of three to five days in primary and secondary schools, while actively building bridges between the worlds of business and education. Lloyd’s involvement builds on the insurance market’s extensive programme of work with East London schools through Lloyd’s Community Programme.
Last updated on 17 Dec 2008
