Never Such Innocence Poetry Workshop

Last week, pupils in Year 5 at Herne View Church of England Primary School in Ilminster were lucky enough to take part in a Never Such Innocence poetry workshop with local poet Clive Sanders. This year's Never Such Innocence Poetry Competition focuses on the theme "How Can We Prevent Future Wars?". Never Such Innocence provides tools for children and young people to reflect on the realities of war and conflict, and aims to amplify the voices of children and young people all over the world. Clive was delighted with the poems the children wrote, and they are now being finalised before being sent off for the competition.

For the children, this provided an excellent opportunity to extend their creative writing skills and Kez commented, ‘I enjoyed the way the session pushed me to think of interesting vocabulary’ with Lucas summing up the visit by saying, ‘The poetry session was good because it inspired me.’

An example of one of the pupil poems created is this thoughtful poem by Archie, age 9.

The Man of War and Death

Remember those who have fallen

Everyone Is in despair 

Make peace in the world please no more bombing 

Every soldier  is in pain 

Make a more stress free world

Be respectful for others especially the soldiers

End all war in the world

Rebuild harmony and happiness please

Our thanks go to Clive Sanders for visiting the school and to our English Leads, Phoebe Swinson and Emmalouise West for co-ordinating the visit. Our children were truly inspired and motivated to use the written word to share a message of peace and tolerance.