Celebrating National Poetry Day at John Stainer Community Primary

To mark National Poetry Day, we were delighted to visit a school on our One-to-one Reading Programme, John Stainer Community Primary School in Lewisham.

Their enthusiasm and love of literature shone through from the moment we stepped inside. From reading corners filled with high-quality books, to walls decorated with book recommendations, John Stainer Community Primary really embodies what we’re aiming for here at Bookmark: to ensure every child has access to books and reading resources. 

This year, the school celebrated National Poetry Day in style. Each class chose and rehearsed a poem to perform, and on the big day the whole school came together for a celebratory assembly, with families invited to join in too.

We spoke with several pupils before their event – and their passion for poetry was infectious!

Why pupils love poetry

Speaking to two pupils, their passion for poetry, reading and the arts was immediately clear. Both had already found creative outlets beyond the classroom – one had written her own book, while the other had taken centre-stage in a local play. These experiences gave them the confidence to share why poetry, in particular, holds such a special place in their hearts.

One pupil explained that she loves poetry because ​“it can build your confidence and you can use your imagination and be creative.” For her, poems are not just words on a page, but invitations into new worlds – spaces where ideas can be invented, emotions expressed and bravery as a reader and performer strengthened.

Another pupil reflected on the sense of connection poetry creates across the school community: ​“Poems are really inclusive, because even the Receptions can do it – and they’re just awesome at it.” From her perspective, poetry is an art where everyone, regardless of age or ability, has a voice. It becomes a shared experience that unites the school in creativity and joy.

Together, their reflections reveal why poetry remains such a powerful tool for learning and expression. Hear more about their school’s recent literacy event and discover what they love most about poetry in our video!

Poetry By Heart – a pupil’s journey

One Year 6 pupil stood out for his passion for poetry – for him, poetry has been a journey of personal growth. He has taken part in Poetry By Heart – a national poetry speaking competition for children from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5 – every year since Year 3.

Each year, he has returned to the challenge, motivated not only by the competition itself but by the chance to bring old and new poems alive through recitation and performance.

He explained: ​“I’ve been commended for every entry, which made me feel really proud – but also a bit nervous to see if I’d get to the final.” His story showed how poetry can inspire perseverance, pride and excitement, as well as creativity.

See one of his performances in our video.

Listening to the pupils talk about their experiences reminded us just how powerful poetry can be. Here are just a few reasons why poetry is so important for children:

• Confidence – performing poems helps children find their voice and build self-belief
• Creativity – poetry encourages imagination, wordplay and experimenting with language
• Inclusivity – there’s no ​“right” way to enjoy a poem, which makes it accessible for all ages and abilities
• Memory and rhythm – learning and reciting poems develops memory skills and introduces children to the rhythm and music of language
• Connection – poetry gives children a way to share feelings, experiences and stories in their own words
• A new way into reading – poetry provides an avenue to reading that feels different from traditional books. Its short, playful and engaging form helps children discover the joy of words, making it a powerful pathway into reading for pleasure

At Bookmark, reading is at the heart of everything we do. Spending the afternoon with such enthusiastic pupils was a brilliant reminder of why we celebrate days like this.