Sally Bavage writes:
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| James Nash and Jo Ward Photo by Sally Bavage |
Well, I could be describing the staff
and visitors who worked so hard with a class of six-year-olds to get
the Headingley LitFest poetry workshops and final performance
assembly ready for the whole school, staff and a fantastic turnout
from 40 visiting parents/grandparents to enjoy.
James Nash, local poet, has a
superpower himself – the ability to get strong commitment,
enthusiasm and joy from children in schools all over Leeds. Here, he
was supported by Rachel Harkess, LitFest volunteer, both working
with an age group new to LitFest. They got each of 27 young
children, nervous and excited, to use a microphone with confidence to
read out excerpts – or micropoems - from their original writing.
Which they had typed out themselves to make reading out loud easier.
At six. Crumbs. As James said: “I have loved working with my
youngest-ever group. Their writing is less developed at this age, so
the work involved more discussion and the ideas really flowed.”
Headteacher Michael Brawley was
delighted that the poetry workshops “engage children with their
learning and give them a love of poetry.” A sentiment heartily
supported by the office staff, including office manager Miss Bonner:
“Such a good thing; it inspires their creative writing which we
then see them tackle more and more.” Lunchtime supervisor
Juliette James agreed “it was lovely to see the poems they
produced.” And as Margaret Ellis, on reception, commented: “We
see the mundane every day, it's so good to see their imagination and
confidence take off.”
Jo Ward, class 2 teacher, was also
really really positive about the effect of the work that takes off
way beyond the classroom. Like a superhero. Many of her class now
wanted to be writers or poets, and they had felt privileged to be
working with “a real writer” who taught them something about the
process of writing.
Supermarket Trolley Man. Popcorn man.
Diamond Girl. Chuckleman. Wolf Girl. And these superheroes had
intriguing superpowers – shooting biscuits into milk, microwaving
their enemies, capes that give you superspeed. Some funny, some
beautiful, some expressive but all highly imaginative writing.
“This has inspired my son to use
poetry and language; we have spent the past week writing limericks
every day at home.” “This has made the children really interested
in poem power. And, oh, the confidence with using the microphone!”
And to the children: “Best bit?”
“Writing my own poem.” “Reading in front of the whole school.”
“I enjoyed it all.”
Now that really IS super.
Spring Bank Primary School, Spring Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 1AD
