How did your school get involved in the Community Arts Partnership’s Seamus Heaney Award/Poetry in Motion Project?
Our Head of English saw the project advertised on an online group for English teachers in Northern Ireland. Our students have had success in the two years we have been involved in the project.
How was your experience with the project?
The project was extremely positive and fulfilling for our students. The visiting poet, Anne Marie Mullan, brought fresh ideas and inspiration that had a significant impact on students’ work and creativity.
How do you feel the students responded to the project?
Students responded very positively to the project. I think it gave them a break from normal the English class format, while developing the same key English skills including creativity, critical thinking and drafting of their work. In particular, students who normally might struggle with creative tasks got the opportunity to spend time thinking and crafting carefully, whereas in normal English classes, they would be under a little bit of pressure to generate ideas.
One of the students, Aodhán Glas, was Runner-Up for the post primary School Individual Award. What was the impact of this achievement for the school and the student?
We are incredibly proud of Aodhán! It has highlighted the importance of creativity around the school and raised the profile of reading poetry, and indeed any form of literature, for pleasure.
Do you feel there was a benefit for the students through this Community Arts Partnership project?
Absolutely! As a result of the project, we have had an increased number of students expressing interest in taking GCSE English Literature. There have been a number of students wanting to take GCSE English Literature due to their work being published in the Poetry in Motion anthology. That is surely something to celebrate!