Matt Windle Poetry Workshops

This half-term, we were honoured to have two visits from the inspirational, former Young Poet Laureate, Matt Windle. Matt leads poetry workshops both in schools and libraries; he engages students by bringing poetry to the level of those he teaches, using influences such as R&B and Rap music to enhance the poetic experience. As well as being a celebrated poet, Matt is a keen boxer and won the light Flyweight Commonwealth title in 2022. Whilst at school, Matt struggled with behavioural issues before being excluded prior to starting Year 10. He then attended Wake Green Behaviour Support Centre. It was at the support centre that a teacher noticed Matt’s incredible talent for writing poetry, and with support, Matt gained the confidence to enter the Young Poet Laureate competition.

During the visit to Newbridge, Matt worked with the students to promote the Worcestershire’s Young Poet Laureate competition. The theme for this year is ‘Courage’. Matt inspired the students by reciting his poetry, talking about his journey then ran poetry workshops. Students were encouraged to brainstorm words associated by the theme of ‘courage’ then they identified rhyming words and phrases before using them to create their own magnificent poems. Some of the students will be entering their ‘courage’ inspired poetry into this year’s Worcestershire’s Young Poet Laureate competition.