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About
What is Poetry By Heart?
Poetry by Heart is a national poetry speaking competition for schools and colleges in England. It’s also a website for teaching and learning about poetry – by heart and out loud, and with plenty of choice for young people to explore poems and find the ones that speak to them. Taking part in Poetry By Heart is all about developing confidence with poetry in an enjoyable, accessible and engaging way that leads to its life-long enjoyment. Registration, participation and competition entry are free for schools and colleges in England.
Why Poetry By Heart?
Poetry By Heart’s founders, the poet Sir Andrew Motion and educator Dr Julie Blake, were asked this question many times when they began working on the first national schools poetry speaking competition.
Taking part in Poetry By Heart is all about developing confidence with poetry in an enjoyable, accessible and engaging way that leads to its life-long enjoyment.
What are the benefits of learning a poem by heart?
In ten years of running Poetry By Heart we’ve listened avidly to the stories and testament of many thousands of teachers, librarians and pupils who have taken part, in every school type and every corner of the country.
What poets say
Explore what poets have to say about learning and performing poems by heart.
