Poetry Slam 2017

The popular performance competition returns

Andy Craven-Griffiths, poet and performer, returns to Leeds City Academy to work with Year 8 students for the first round of The White Rose Academies Trust Poetry Slam.

Over 20,000 young people have benefitted from Andy's workshops since he began running them in 2007. As a poet he has performed live on stage for Glastonbury and Latitude, with broadcast readings for BBC Radio and Television. Printed work also includes poetry journals such as Magma and Ambit.

Ms Harness, Academy Librarian, said: "We are delighted to welcome back Andy Craven-Griffiths, poet and performer, to work with our Year 8 students in the first round of the WRAT Poetry Factor Competition. Working in the drama studio, our students were encouraged to produce some fantastic poems and great fun was had by all who attended this brilliant session."

At the end of the performances, Andy and a group of judges got together to decide on the 15 students who were successful enough to go through to the Bootcamp stage and eventually to the finale at Chapel FM, both happening later in March.

Ms Harness adds: "Many of the students came up to me to say how much they had enjoyed this event and working with Andy. "Miss, I really enjoyed yesterday - it was so much fun" said one eager participant. Another added, "Please can we do this again?""

Expect to find out more about the Poetry Slam as the finalists proceed to the Bootcamp with Andy Craven-Griffiths and Ms Harness next month.