Creative pupils from a city school have been given the chance to see their poetry in print thanks to the organisers of Derby Book Festival.
Children from The Bemrose School, in Uttoxeter New Road, have been working with professional performance poet Leanne Moden to create work which will be published in an anthology.
A group of 11 pupils from year eight were chosen to take part in the project and they spent a day at a nature reserve and rural retreat exploring the theme of The World and Me.
The students were invited to think about what the world is, what the future may look like and how they would like to change the world.
Twelve-year-old Daisy Adams said: “My poem is about the environment as this is something I feel quite strongly about. The best bit of the project was going out for the day because being outside the classroom really helped me to come up with different ideas.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the actual book – I’ve never had any of my work printed before, so it’s very exciting.”
Every completed piece will be published in the anthology and illustrated by University of Derby graduate Natálie Blehová.
The book will be officially unveiled during Derby Book Festival, which was set to take place at the end of May but has now been put back until the Autumn.
Leanne said: “It’s been such a privilege to get a glimpse into the thoughts and imaginations of this age group. They have used some beautifully observed imagery and metaphors and I have been impressed with the maturity and thoughtfulness of the students.
“Some of the children have lived through exceptional circumstances and I think enabling them to use writing as a way of dealing with and processing these experiences can be really helpful.
“This kind of work benefits the students on so many levels. It’s important that youngsters feel like they have a voice and we all know that teenagers can find it difficult to express themselves.”
Derby Book Festival celebrates the joy of books and reading for all ages and interests, with a programme featuring great writers, poets, historians, politicians, illustrators, storytellers and musicians.
Every year it welcomes internationally celebrated, best-selling authors as well as a broad range of local writing talent.
The festival’s community programme seeks to engage new audiences and last year it produced a similar book with Derby College after working with a group of teenagers using English as a second language.
English teacher Tina Patrick said: “This experience has given the children a licence to have fun with words and knowing their work will be published has pushed them even further.
“Children are used to behaving a certain way in school – to use capitals where appropriate, or the right colour pen – and in the workshop they were allowed to let go of those more formal aspects and just indulge their imaginations.
“We have seen a huge upsurge in self-belief and satisfaction and I think every pupil has felt a real sense of achievement.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Sarah Newton at Penguin PR on 01332 416228 or email [email protected]
