Poetry Live!

This is an opportunity for GCSE pupils in England and Wales to see and hear live performances from a great selection of the poets they are studying.

For AQA A days the line-up includes three of the 'key poets', Simon Armitage, Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy, plus Imtiaz Dharker and the incomparable John Agard.

In addition at each AQA A event one of the following will read: Grace Nichols, Moniza Alvi, Daljit Nagra or Polly Clark.

We guarantee that there will be six poets at each venue.

Equally important for AQA A events, there will be two short examiner sessions with either Peter Buckroyd or Tony Childs, the best and most experienced examiners available.

The day is carefully planned to be fast moving and provide variety. The readings will be short (20 minutes the longest, many just 5 or 10 minutes) and there will be question and answer sessions, which always add an interesting and unpredictable element to the day.

Everyone receives a well-produced and informative magazine with articles, interviews, examiner-based exercises, additional poems and advice on writing poetry.

These events are now in their 10th year.

Every centre attending gets a free set of wall posters.

Simon Armitage (all events)
With his superb ear for language, his outstanding poems and his dry sense of humour, Simon is a highly accomplished performer. With a couple of extra poems and questions, he alone is unmissable.

Gillian Clarke (all events)
Many pupils' favourite. Gillian has an extremely helpful approach to the difficulties GCSE pupils have. Her introductions and comments have developed over the years to the point that they are almost as interesting as the poems. In addition, as one of the key poets, she will answer questions.

Carol Ann Duffy (all events)
'The superstar of British poetry' according to The Guardian. She is such an important poet. It is a real honour that she is keen to read at all the AQA A events. As well as reading five or six of her Anthology poems she will answer questions.

John Agard (all events)
You can hardly describe this as a reading. He gives one of the most exciting performances in contemporary poetry with a variety of poems. Includes an unforgettable rendition of Half-Caste . He really does make an impact with pupils who 'don't like poetry'.

Imtiaz Dharker (all events)
Lives in London and Bombay and she will be at every event. She is a rivetting reader and will answer questions. Among the poems read will be Blessing and This Room and the wonderful They'll say, 'She must be from another country'.

In addition one of the following will read at each event. See events 2007/2008 for details

Grace Nichols
With the rhythm and the beat of her native Caribbean English, Grace Nichols is a much-loved poet and adds a great deal to these events. The reading includes her two Anthology poems, Island Man and Hurricane hits England.

Moniza Alvi
She will read the delightful Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan as well as several closely related poems about the experience of having two cultural backgrounds.

Polly Clark
Born in Canada and brought up in Lancashire, Cumbria and the borders of Scotland, she has won a number of prestigious poetry awards and was short listed for the 2005 TS Eliot prize.

Daljit Nagra
He was born and brought up in London and later Sheffield. His Punjabi parents came to Britain in the sixties. His collection Look We Have Coming to Dover! was published by Faber. He still teaches part time at a West London school.

	10.45		Welcome and introduction
	10.50		Carol Ann Duffy
	11.10		Question time
	11.20		Examiner session with either Peter Buckroyd or Tony Childs
	11.30		Imtiaz Dharker
	11.45		Questions
	11.50		Morning break. Tea and coffee for teachers.
	12.10		Examiner session looking at the strengths of a good student essay.
	12.25		Grace Nichols
	12.40		Gillian Clarke
	1.00		Question time
	1.10		Lunch
	1.55		Simon Armitage
	2.15		Question time
	2.25		Very short break
	2.35		John Agard
	3.00		Ends

The fee is £14.00 per pupil plus VAT which can normally be reclaimed. A free teacher place is given for every ten pupil places booked.

Make a provisional booking by phoning 01745 814 214 as soon as possible. Don't wait until everything has been cleared at your school or college. You are not committing yourself at this stage. Venues fill quickly and if you wait too long it may be too late.

Alternatively send us a fax on 01745 814 395

Or email a booking to bookings@poetrylive.net

Your initial booking will be an estimate and you may have to change your pupil numbers when you confirm.

We normally ask for payment four weeks before the event.

We know that you have a difficult job organising this trip. We're here to make it as easy as possible for you.