Poetry Together

Resource type: Projects, programmes and workshops

Price band: Free

Key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Region(s): All of UK

Poetry Together is a free initiative that brings schools and members of the local elderly community together through poetry. The theme for 2026 is Memories and Dreams.

The Poetry Together project involves the following four steps:

Pupils under the age of 18 write a poem (not exceeding 14 lines) OR choose a poem to learn by heart.
Schools make contact with members of the elderly community in their local area and invite them to do the same.
Arrange a get-together and perform your poems to one another.
Send your poems, picture and videos to [email protected] for the chance to win a range of prizes.

Timetable:

Poetry Together season starts in early September. All competition entries must be submitted by 18th December 2026.

Cost: Free with registration.

About Poetry Together: Poetry Together was founded in 2019 by author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth. It is administered by Dukes Education, a family of schools and education organisations in the UK.

Further resources:

Sign up for a free Poets on the Road workshop with poets Kate Wakeling and Rhiannon Oliver James. The in-school workshop can be tailored to suit your setting and can include an assembly and creative writing and performance workshops.
Poetry by Heart is a poetry speaking competition for students in schools and colleges. The Poetry by Heart website provides access to hundreds of poems, along with performance tips and other resources.
The CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award) is the only award dedicated to children’s poetry. The accompanying shadowing scheme provides participating primary schools with the opportunity to take part in a poetry performance competition.
The Children’s Poetry Archive provides free access to recordings of poets reading their poems aloud, along with with supporting teaching resources and activities.
Find more resources to support poetry in the classroom here.