Verse Adventures: Unlocking the Magic of Poetry, was held on Friday 20th June and organised by Primary Curriculum Directors, Carys MacRae and Lee Mullen at One Angel Square in Manchester.

The event brought together schools from all regions in a celebration of poetry and self-expression. This year’s theme focused on creative engagement with poetry, giving pupils the freedom to interpret poems in their own unique ways whether through rap, group performance, home language delivery or original composition.

More than 50 pupils participated in the festival, performing both well-known classics and original poems in front of an audience of peers, teachers and guests. 
Schools had the option to perform individually or in groups of up to four across three main categories:

• Traditional performance
• Rap/storytelling
• Home language delivery 

Co-op Academy Parkland were named overall winners with a performance of their original poem ABCDPLAY. The poem combined rhyme, rhythm and audience participation which won over the judges and the crowd.

Co-op Academy Beckfield earned second place with a confident solo performance of Roald Dahl’s The Crocodile, while Co-op Academy Grove took third place for a high-energy rap version of The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes.

Lee Mullen, Director for Primary Curriculum at Co-op Academies Trust, said:
 "The Poetry Festival this year was a huge success. To see the excitement and enjoyment on the children's faces as they performed a range of traditional and original poems was just amazing.

“The theme around creative engagement was clear in every performance, and the preparation and thought behind them was fantastic. Huge congratulations to Parkland for their brilliant poem 'ABCDPLAY'. It really captured the spirit of the festival."

The event not only celebrated the power of poetry, but also aimed to build pupils’ confidence, and creativity, key skills that are part of the Trust’s wider commitment to providing a ric and balanced education.