A-level English students embarked on an inspiring literary journey to London on December 9th, attending the renowned Poems of the Decade conference.
This event comprised of 5 speakers taking participants on individual masterclasses, each equally thought-provoking and insightful. Renowned poets shared the stories behind their work - exploring both the inspirations that shaped their craft and the deliberate choices woven into their language. Poets at the conference such as Julia Copus and Patience Agbabi, have written poems included in the A-level course. This allowed students further insight into the works that they study. UCL English Literature professor Mark Ford spoke on the violence portrayed in contemporary poetry, giving a taster of a university lecture to help gain insight towards studying English in higher education.
Canterbury poet laureate Patience Agbabi started the day off strong by tasking all the students to re-write the ending of her infamous ‘Eat Me’ poem, which inspired many creative responses. Each speaker offered a questions and answers follow up, prompting thoughtful questions from the students about language and structural choices. The final session of the day involved critic Sarah Crown analysing an unseen poem and comparing it to a seen poem in front of the student audience. Demonstrating the process we undertake in A level poetry exam, watching a professional explain her thought-process and methodology proved highly insightful for the students. Reading out her impressive introduction to finish the day left students inspired by her skill, motivated to take on board all the resourceful advice given during the conference.
Students left feeling inspired and better equipped for their exams, E, Young reflected: “Our trip to the poetry conference was extremely useful: through listening to the poets’ perspectives and unique analyses, which will really help when it comes to writing essays!”
Teachers Mrs Brooks and Mr Hindley also thoroughly enjoyed the trip, with Mrs Brookes mentioning how “The EMC poetry conference was a valuable opportunity for students to hear directly from poets (rather than just their teachers!) about the ideas and influences that shape their work. I hope this experience deepens their understanding of the poems we have been studying and even inspires them to develop their own appreciation and curiosity for contemporary poetry.”
The conference not only deepened students’ understanding of contemporary poetry but also sparked creativity and confidence for their future studies.
