Applications are now OPEN for Spoken Word Power 2026-27!
Spoken Word Power is a fully funded project supporting Primary, Secondary and SEND schools in Barking & Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hackney, Harrow, the Cities of London and Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Newham and Tower Hamlets to creatively champion the spoken word, nurture positive attitudes towards language and learning, and provide a platform for the vibrant voices of a new generation of young people.
The project makes language exciting, inclusive and fun, and develops oracy, speaking & listening, writing skills and confidence through inquiry-based, collaborative approaches, injecting joy into school life.
Have a Poet in Residence join your school next academic year to take you and your students on a creative journey from idea generation and discussion, to writing, editing and performing on a West End stage. Led by professional poets and rappers, this project engages students using creativity and provides all participating teachers with high-quality CPD sessions and resources.
To apply, please read the full information pack and complete our Online Registration Form (both linked below).
Applications close 10am Monday 6th July 2026.
You can apply for up to three classes, however as this is a funded programme, we cannot guarantee that all classes will be offered a place on the programme.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Spoken Word Power is designed for KS2-KS3 classes at Primary, Secondary and SEND schools. Participating students will work with an Eastside Poet in Residence to explore the project’s annual theme and embark on a creative journey from idea generation and discussion, to writing, editing and performing in a Poetry Slam at your school.
Nominated poets will represent their class at a celebratory inter-school sharing event in the West End and be published in our annual Anthology.
As part of this programme, will also receive two high-quality teacher CPD workshops and teaching resources to support you through the project and embed spoken word poetry into your school.
Participating schools will receive:
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2 x twilight Teacher CPD workshops in spoken word poetry and performance (November 2026 and February 2027)
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5 x half day Spoken Word Poetry Workshops (per participating class)
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Mentoring & support from your Poet in Residence in putting on a school poetry slam
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Trip to the West End for a celebratory Sharing Event, with nominated class poet(s) performing and all participating students attending
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A free copy of the Spoken Word Power annual anthology, including poetry from your school
KEY DATES
- Application Deadline: 10am Monday 6th July 2026
- Successful Schools Notified: Mid July 2026
- Project Begins: November 2026
- In-school workshops and in-school slam: January-March 2027
- School trip to West End Theatre: late March 2027
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
- KS2-KS3 classes
- Primary, Secondary and SEND schools
- Schools located in one of the following boroughs: Barking & Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hackney, Harrow, the Cities of London and Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
SPOKEN WORD POWER LIVE
If you’re not eligible for the above workshops, why not sign up to Spoken Word Power Live (formerly Open Call), our free digital programme?
Spoken Word Power Live offers a free CPD session and a set of free resources, including livestreamed workshops, which are available to all schools across the UK.
You can sign up here to get your class developing original pieces of spoken word poetry, and use our Teacher Guides to help you put on your very own School Poetry Slam. All participating schools are invited to send us one poem to represent their school, to be featured in our published Anthology to celebrate World Poetry Day.
Spoken Word Power is generously supported by John Lyon’s Charity and Wembley Stadium Foundation