Young Voices Take Centre Stage at Cross-Trust Poetry Celebration

Pupils from across Laidlaw Schools Trust came together for a special poetry celebration at Northern Stage in Newcastle, showcasing their creativity, confidence and love of language through performance.

Year 4 pupils from Excelsior Academy, Thomas Walling Primary Academy, South Hylton Primary Academy, Academy 360, Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy and Atkinson Road Primary Academy gathered for the event, which explored the theme of belonging through a shared programme of poetry.

The event began with a rehearsal session before families were welcomed to a special performance. Throughout the morning, pupils demonstrated not only their understanding of poetry but also the speaking and listening skills they have been developing through their work on oracy and performative language as part of Voice 21.

In the weeks leading up to the event, pupils across the Trust explored what belonging means to them, drawing on their own experiences, identities and communities. The many different interpretations of the theme were both thoughtful and deeply moving, reflecting the rich diversity of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives across Laidlaw Schools Trust. Through their chosen poems and original writing, pupils explored belonging in a variety of ways - from friendship and family to place, identity and shared experiences.

The morning also embodied one of the Trust's core values: being brave. Learning and performing poetry in front of peers from other Academies, as well as parents and members of the wider community, required considerable courage. For many pupils, stepping onto the stage at Northern Stage was a completely new experience, yet they embraced the challenge with remarkable confidence, determination and enthusiasm. Their performances were a testament to the hard work that had taken place in Academies in the weeks leading up to the event and the extraordinary commitment pupils showed throughout the project.

A highlight of the event was the opening shared performance of From a Railway Carriage, introduced by pupils from Atkinson Road Primary Academy. The children worked carefully on pace, rhythm and enunciation, bringing the poem to life with a performance that echoed the sound and movement of a train. Pupils then performed a selection of poems chosen and studied in their Academies.

The second shared performance was Julia Donaldson's I Opened a Book, introduced by Academy 360. Celebrating the magic of reading, the poem highlighted how books can transport us to new worlds, broaden our horizons and help us better understand one another.

The final section of the event gave pupils the opportunity to perform poetry they had written themselves. Some Academies shared individual pieces, while others performed collaborative poems created as a whole class or larger group. Their original work demonstrated imagination, reflection and a powerful understanding of the theme of belonging, with many performances proving both moving and memorable.

For many pupils, performing on a professional stage was a milestone moment.

Daniel from South Hylton Primary Academy said:

"I can't believe it, I've never been on a stage before."

Skye from Excelsior Academy added:

"My heart was racing, but it was just brilliant."

The event concluded with a final shared poem introduced by pupils from Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy, bringing together all of the young performers in a fitting celebration of confidence, creativity, community and belonging.

Special thanks go to Atkinson Road Primary Academy for leading the organisation of this inspiring event, which provided pupils with a valuable opportunity to develop their oracy skills, celebrate diversity and demonstrate the power of poetry to connect people through shared experiences.