Process of discovery

Year 9 and Year 11 girls studying GCSE English were treated to a special talk with nationally acclaimed poet Jacob Sam-La Rose on Tuesday.  Jacob is not only a poet but also an educator holding workshops in schools on a regular basis. His mission is to mentor and inspire young people around the world to read and write poetry.

Jacob talked to the girls about the poets they like and the aspects of poetry they found difficult.  He then went on to read three of his poems, as requested by the girls.  He read “Pendulum”, “Never” and “Crush”. 

He went onto talk about how his family experiences influenced his poetry and that these personal experiences are always a good place to start when writing.  He explained how from this starting point he was able to start to write about the wider issues within society, linking the personal and profound together, which then, he said “resonates with broader people”.  It was obvious the girls found the talk enjoyable and they all agreed that being able to speak and listen to a professional poet has helped to focus and motivate them in their own writing.

The whole school also had the opportunity to hear Jacob speak at an assembly in the afternoon.  He re-cited “Gravity”, “A Life in Dreams” and “Never”, he also read a poem given to him by Year 9 girl Lara V called “The Girl who Walked Alone”.

Head of English, Mr Gifford said “It was a delight to have Jacob come to Pipers and talk to the girls.  They found the experience very useful for their GCSE English and poetry overall.  To learn and listen from such a world renowned poet like Jacob really does bring poetry alive.”

For more information contact:

Rebecca Conroy, Senior Marketing Executive, Pipers Corner School. Telephone 01494 719850 or email [email protected] | www.facebook.com/PipersCornerSchool | @PipersCornerSch