Heartlands Highschool poet in residence Paul Lyalls

Haringey Literature Live has been gifted the opportunity with winning an award by the Art Council of England which has allowed Heartlands High School in Haringey to work alongside children’s poet in residence, Paul Lyalls (who was also poet in residence to the Roald Dahl Museum and Arsenal FC) to discuss themes of cultural identity – something often neglected and overlooked within the school curriculum.  

The Haringey Literature Live scheme frequently holds writing courses and workshops with a plethora of highly skilled writers, from poets to screenwriters funded by Collage Arts and the Arts Council England.

With 10-15 local schools each year taking part, there’s a large and rare showcase of the wonderfully imaginative talent of the younger generation.

Here is an example of the beautiful work created by a year 8 student working alongside poet Paul Lyalls.

Black is a shade

“Do we need to classify?

A shade, a colour,

a complete stranger.

purple, blue, pink, orange

a happy family.

Feelings as dark as itself,

a shadow of depression.

Does anyone see it weeping?

What colour are tears?”

An exhibition will be held at the Karamel Gallery, beginning from May 15th until 30th June showcasing  22 poems from the children, alongside 22 pieces of artwork created within the Chocolate Factory and organised by Kate Pemberton who coordinates the initiative with schools, Chocolate Factory artists, and residents.

Here’s what Paul had to say about the experience:  “Year 7, year 8 are making great poetry, exploring their lives performing it back and managing to stay cool in the process”

Alongside the exhibition, there will be an awards ceremony held on the 24th of April at Heartlands High-school where the votes for the Haringey Children’s Book Award-winning author will be announced.