World Poetry Day
From UNESCO
Resource type: Event
Price band: Free
Key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, EYFS
Region(s): All of UK
World Poetry Day is celebrated on 21st March. The date was adopted by UNESCO in 1999 with the aim of recognising and celebrating one of our oldest and most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression.
World Poetry Day provides an opportunity to honour poets around the world and to promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry in all its forms.
Cost: Free.
About UNESCO: UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Its aim is to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development through international cooperation in the key areas of Education, Science and Culture.
Further resources:
- Former Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho created a year’s worth of Poetry Prompts, weekly bitesize videos designed to celebrate and demystify the reading and writing of poetry.
- Watch Michael Rosen perform his poems and stories on the Michael Rosen Video Channel.
- The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2025 is now open for entries. Young people aged 11-17 can submit their poems on any theme until midnight on 31st July.
- Sign your primary pupils up for the CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme in May to explore and perform the work of poets shortlisted for the annual Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award with the free teaching resources provided.
- Explore ways to use poetry across the primary curriculum to raise engagement and attainment in reading and writing at this CLPE course on 20th May 2025 with award-winning poet Valerie Bloom.
- Interested in running an in-school workshop with a poet? The Poetry Society offers a service matching poets with schools.
- Authors Live On Demand has a bank of free recorded events featuring poets performing and talking about their work. See the selection here.
- Find a comprehensive bank of resources to support the teaching of poetry in the primary classroom at the National Poetry Centre for Primary Schools.
- Listen to recordings of poets reading their poems aloud and explore the teaching resources provided on the Children’s Poetry Archive.
- Find primary poetry recommendations and reviews at Books for Topics and Just Imagine.
- Explore the bank of poems for students of all ages on the Poetry by Heart website and find out how to get involved with next year’s Poetry by Heart poetry speaking competition.
- Generate ideas for poetry writing with a jar of Poetry Stones.
- Find more resources to support poetry all through the year here.
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