CLPE is the National Poetry Centre for Primary Schools

Poetry at CLPE

Poetry is a fundamental element in the development of children’s literacy. This site holds an extensive bank of poems for children and teaching resources, videos of poet performances and interviews to support the teaching of poetry in the classroom.

For insight into CLPE's work, view our Poetry at CLPE video with poets Joseph Coelho, Karl Nova, CLPE Chief Executive Louise Johns-Shepherd and Learning Programme Leader Charlotte Hacking.

Use our free poetry teaching resources

Poets

Introduce children to poets through film

Find out more about favourite children’s poets. Read their poems, watch their performance films and listen to their interviews. Enjoy well-loved poets and discover new ones through our resources.

See poets perform for National Poetry Day 2019

Steven Camden - Winner of CLiPPA 2019

Poems

Discover hundreds of poems

Listen to award winning poets read their poems out loud with your children. Inspire them with classic favourites and introduce them to new poems from a variety of books and verse novels.

Please Mrs Butler

Welly Boots

The Sound Collector

School tomorrow - excuses for Mum

The great fire of London

Peer Pressure

View All Poems

Teaching Sequences

Explore poetry in depth

Use our free teaching sequences to guide your planning (including for National Poetry Day) and use the teaching approaches to explore poetry in depth; enhancing reading comprehension and providing meaningful contexts and purposes for writing and performance.

In Truth, Poetry: National Poetry Day writing challenge resources

Nursery, Reception or Year 1 – Thinker, My Puppy Poet and Me by Eloise Greenfield

Years 3/4/5 - A Kid in My Class by Rachel Rooney

Years 5/6 – Dark Sky Park by Philip Gross

Years 6/7- Everything All At Once - Steven Camden

Years 6/7 – Rebound by Kwame Alexander

Text "Poetry in Pramary Schools, what we know works" and CLPE logos

Create a Poetry Classroom

We have created extensive materials to support best practice in the teaching of poetry supporting teachers and children to become confident poetry readers and writers

Key Teaching Approaches

Booklists

Teaching Sequences

Guide to Teaching Poetry in Primary Schools

CLPE Poetry Award (CLiPPA)

We run a school’s shadowing scheme alongside CLiPPA, the only UK award which celebrates outstanding poetry published for children. Use the films of the shortlisted poets performing and the specially written teaching sequences for their books to inspire your children

Teaching Sequences for CLiPPA 2019 and all shortlisted poets

See our videos of poet performances poet interviews and children performing poetry

Find out more about CLiPPA and register your interest for 2020

Join us at Let's Write! Improving Reading and Writing Using Poetry Course with A. F Harrold

Learn how poetry can be used in cross-curricular ways to engage children, develop effective writing and boost attainment in this one day course led by professional poet and author, A.F. Harrold on 11 March 2020.

Let's Write! Improving Reading and Writing Using Poetry course 11 March 2020

The Power of Pictures provides great classroom activities. We are thrilled with the development of our children’s writing.

Literacy Leader
I’ve led English for 9 years and I’ve still learnt something new in each session. The best course I’ve ever been on

Progress and Achievement in Reading training participant
The CLPE Reading and Writing Scales could transform English pedagogy & assessment. An excellent free resource.

Dame Alison Peacock
Power of Reading is an intrinsic part of our curriculum provision. Ofsted commented on visible progress and pupils’ evident love of reading.

Headteacher, Power of Reading 2016-2017
The project has had a huge impact in the EYFS through use of the books and teaching sequences. It has been instrumental in giving more confidence and inspiration to our teachers.

Deputy Headteacher, Power of Reading project

Upcoming Courses And Events

Supporting Transition - Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1

Inspiring Writing - Years 3/4

Developing Writing in the Early Years

Upcoming Courses And Events

Supporting Transition - Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1

Inspiring Writing - Years 3/4

Developing Writing in the Early Years

Upcoming Courses And Events

Supporting Transition - Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1

Inspiring Writing - Years 3/4

Developing Writing in the Early Years

Upcoming Courses And Events

Supporting Transition - Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1

Inspiring Writing - Years 3/4

Developing Writing in the Early Years

Upcoming Courses And Events

Supporting Transition - Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1

Inspiring Writing - Years 3/4

Developing Writing in the Early Years

Quality children's literature at the heart of all learning

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CLPE is the National Poetry Centre for Primary Schools

Poetry at CLPE

Use our free poetry teaching resources

Poets

Introduce children to poets through film

Poems

Discover hundreds of poems

Teaching Sequences

Explore poetry in depth

Create a Poetry Classroom

CLPE Poetry Award (CLiPPA)

Join us at Let's Write! Improving Reading and Writing Using Poetry Course with A. F Harrold

Upcoming Training

Supporting Transition - Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1

Inspiring Writing - Years 3/4

Developing Writing in the Early Years

Planning the Curriculum Around a Quality Text - Years 5 and 6

Phonics in a Rich Reading Curriculum