One of the strengths of our partnership is sharing ideas and seeking out the very best opportunities for our young people. That’s how we came across Hot Poets’ Ignite Education programme, which brings poetry to life in schools through the creativity of Michael Rosen and a team of contemporary poets. With climate and the environment at its core, the programme sparks curiosity, joy and learning by diving into the heart of language, story and the world around us.
So, when Hot Poet Chris Redmond arrived on an unseasonably warm October day at Canterbury Christ Church University with a ukulele in one hand and the inspiring anthology Wonder Thunder Blunder in the other, we knew we were in for a treat.
Children from partner schools, St Anselm’s Catholic School, Orion Spires, The King’s School, Canterbury, and St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, were engaged from start to finish. Chris possessed the verve needed to capture the attention of children and teachers alike through song, science and knowledge-nuggets; through poetry, poo (that’s not a typo) and joke-jabber.
If you were wondering about those ‘knowledge-nuggets’ and ‘joke-jabber’ references, you’ve just spotted some kennings. Chris introduced the children to this playful poetic technique, showing how combining words can create vivid, imaginative descriptions.
Through poetry and deep (and often bizarre) discussion, Chris encouraged the children to think about environmental issues not as overwhelming problems, but as challenges they could understand and help address. The poems they wrote at the end of the sessions, each inspired by a small piece of nature they had observed from outside, reflected this beautifully and celebrated the wonder of our planet.
Through our partnership, we were able to reach dozens of children from across Canterbury. Pupils from different schools laughed, shared ideas and learned together. They brought fresh perspectives, wrote from the heart and demonstrated how creative young people can be when given the time and space to explore their thoughts.
Chris delivered one of those workshops that will stay in your memory forever.
A particular strength of the day was seeing children from different schools working alongside one another. New connections were made, confidence grew and ideas flowed freely. The workshops demonstrated the power of bringing young people together to learn, create and reflect on the world around them.
We all left that day a little more curious, a little more hopeful and a great deal more inspired.
Further information and resources
To find out more about the Hot Poets Ignite Education programme and the opportunities available for schools, visit:
- Hot Poets: https://hotpoets.org/
- Ignite Education Workshops: https://hotpoets.org/schools/
- Wonder Thunder Blunder anthology: https://hotpoets.org/product/wonder-thunder-blunder/