Ebor Academy Trust is encouraging pupils to take part in a poetry competition which looks forwards to a world without the current restrictions.
Ebor, which has 24 schools across York, Selby, the East Riding and Hull and on the Yorkshire Coast, also wants its staff and governors to join in. Sponsorship from United Carlton and Nestlé will pay for book tokens for winners and runners-up as well as printing a commemorative booklet featuring top submissions.
“Poetry helps everyone to find their voice and express themselves, which is really important in these difficult times,” said Lisa Ponter, Ebor’s literacy lead and an organiser of the competition. “We want to encourage a love of language and with a theme of ‘looking forwards’, we want our school communities to dare to look ahead and be optimistic.
“It’s a chance to explore feelings as well as playfulness and contributes towards improving wellbeing.”
Children and young people, plus staff and governors, have until the end of the month to come up with their poems. There’s also a category for families, as many parents and carers are finding themselves working together with their children in the current lockdown.
A judging panel will select the winners, comprising a local poet and representatives from Ebor and its schools.
