England: Poems from a School

by Kate Clanchy (Editor)

Oxford Spires Academy is a small comprehensive school with 30 languages – and one special focus: poetry. In the last five years, its students have won every prize going. They have been celebrated in The Guardian ('The Very Quiet Foreign Girls Poetry Group’), and the subject of a BBC Radio 3 documentary.

In this unique anthology, their mentor and teacher prize-winning poet Kate Clanchy brings their poems together, and allowing readers to see why their work has caused such a stir. By turns raw and direct, funny and powerful, lyrical and heartbreaking, they document the pain of migration and the exhilaration of building a new land, an England of many voices.

In England: Poems from a School, you will find poetry as easy to read as it is hard to forget, as fresh and bright as the young poets who produced it.

Genres: Poetry, Education, British Literature, Nonfiction

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

Kate Clanchy was educated in Edinburgh and Oxford University. She lived in London's East End for several years, before moving to Buckinghamshire where she now works as a teacher, journalist and freelance writer. Her poetry and seven radio plays have been broadcast by BBC Radio. She is a regular contributor to The Guardian newspaper; her work appeared in The Scotsman, the New Statesman and Poetry Review. She also writes for radio and broadcasts on the World Service and BBC Radio 3 and 4.

She is a Creative Writing Fellow of Oxford Brookes University and teaches Creative Writing at the Arvon Foundation. She is currently one of the writers-in-residence at the charity First Story. Her poetry has been included in A Book of Scottish Verse (2002) and The Edinburgh book of twentieth-century Scottish poetry (2006)

Reviews

[H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so beautiful and so heartbreaking. At first I didn't want to write a review because I know that whatever I say will not be adequate and it will not do these poems and its writers justice.

These kids - some my own age - have such sad stories to tell, such beautiful backgrounds to describe, such heartwarming thoughts to share.
Some poems brought me nearly to tears. I don't know what to say except that I am glad I got to read these poems. I am so glad I came across this anthology in the bookstore. And I want other people to read this, too.

When I found out that all of the people who wrote these poems went to the same school, it just made me want to go there and get to know each and every one of them.

All I can say, with certainty, is that this anthology will become a classic. If it doesn't, then the world has really missed out. This should be in every library of every school. It should even be - if I can go as far as to say so - required reading for people in secondary school.

I'm so proud of everyone who worked on this and made it what it is, especially the students who were brave enough to share their stories and emotions. Thank you. This has touched my heart.

[tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m shook. Phenomenal. This collection— these poets— they took my breath away. I am in awe. I am crushed. I am moved. Read this. These poems, the language these young poets use to describe their journey, their memories, their lives is truly something.

[Winnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of these poems were like a punch in the gut; all of them so beautiful and moving. A brilliant collection.

[Lily Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evocative and inspiring!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Nations talked to nations and robbed me of myself.”

Poetry collections and I sometimes don’t work out (ok that’s mostly just me and Rupi Kaur) but this book got me so completely and had me crying in the shower, re-reading all the words over and over and marvelling at the work of 12 year olds. This collection is pure emotion and talent. In times of heightened racial tensions, as newspapers once again demonise migrants and pretend they are not individuals, this collection feels more poignant than ever. I am so grateful for educators like Kate Clanchy and staff at Oxford Spires Academy who clearly work hard to get to know and support students who may look, sound, think and act differently to the typical British demographic - advocates are absolutely essential for these students (I would know).

I also often hate introductions, but Kate Clanchy’s honesty and respect for her students was so emotional and humbling. Thank you for telling me I could come back to the intro after some poems, it was the perfect introduction. The final section about the individual poets again shows such tenderness and care for the students - I cried once more.

These pupils are amazing, not just their writing, but what they’ve endured and experienced and managed to put across so beautifully to the rest of us. Every bit of this anthology is truly perfect.

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection. The school in question is in Oxford and has an 80% non-white population. Many of these students have a migrant and/or refugee background in their childhood and their ability to talk about these parts of their lives and identities is powerful. These are voices we don't hear often enough.

The poems, written by school children aged twelve to eighteen, are affecting and so admirable. Each student has a distinct voice and I found myself having 'favourites', flipping ahead to see how many by them I would find. Their writing on war, trauma, separation, feelings of being misplaced, language and culture loss, it's sad of course and I was touched and moved by many poems, but the skill was inspiring and gave me hope. So young and full of talent and drive. Yet the poems are still accessible to other children and to new readers of poetry, while still remaining engaging for aesthetes.

I fully expect some of these poets to have fruitful writing careers in their futures and I hope this readable, moving collection aids them in that.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Cowley Road: never anyone's actual destination, just a small passage in a big book." Asima Qayyam (17)

When I saw the words "Poems from a School" sat on the shelf in the bookstore, I couldn't resist. These poems are written by the poets of Oxford Spires Academy who bring to life their emotions and experiences from every corner of the world. I wanted to challenge myself to read more poetry this year and I am so glad that I opened the pages to the minds of these young people.

The stories told in this anthology are rich, moving and tell a valuable story of what is important to each young poet who shared their thoughts. I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone who wants to better understand what it means to grow up different in this world.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection is absolutely incredible. I chose to read it after finding out it has been curated from the work of students at Oxford Spires Academy (the secondary school on the same road as my current placement school). The range and maturity of the voices that are included are amazing and I would recommend it to anyone wishing to read more about experiences of migration, deprivation and cultural duality. In Oxford in particular these experiences often go overlooked (given its strong associations with academia and prosperity) and I found it eye-opening to read such varied and often stark perspectives of living here.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you stumble upon books whose backstory is as captivating as the prose within. This anthology was one of those. Oxford Spires Academy is a small comprehensive school in England that has a student body who covers thirty languages and a focus on poetry. Their words are easy to read, difficult to forget, and written with beauty and heartbroken for their immigrant experience and lives they once knew. It's a school and program I find myself drawn to know more about and poetry I plan to revisit for years to come.

[Maria Dedelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was enraptured after reading the first poem and still am after finishing the whole book - all of them are in one way or another filled with longing, with differently phrased love and identity, cultures blooming with their original raw beauty, mixing with everyday life in England. Painted in various colours, shades of attachment and belonging - all coming from school students', teenagers' hearts. I can't recommend it more, a beautiful book.

[Shelby Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s amazing what young adults can create and it’s amazing what work can be shared when poetry is valued in education.

Favorite Lines:
“my poem is my country, / my home country. / And my country is poor” (46).

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something very special, and precious.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of poems and it represents something even better when you learn who wrote the poems. I will read her memoir - it sounds very inspiring.

[Frances Coe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Raw. Sobering. Inspirational.

[JASARA HINES · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe kids wrote these poems

[Ajay Sawant · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Great by any standard.
—Philip Pullman”
.
“The young poets are writing their lives with heartbreaking immediacy, in a time when home is a leaving, and also a becoming
—Imtiaz Dharker”
.
“and half of it is still in Syria
When sun shines in Syria
the warmth flowers in my cheeks
And when the sun sets there
my heart remembers shadows
and the closing of flowers.”
//Mohamed Assif (12)//
.
This wonderful book with a eye appealing book cover is surely among those rare books published by now that will attract you like magnet just on basis of cover.

The book is made up of 71 fine poetry pieces each one exclusively executed by a relation of teacher and also a prize winning poet and editor of the anthology Kate Clanchy and her students at Oxford Spires Academy which is a small school which pays special attention towards poetry. The poems included are unique from every angle, simple and still fascinating. This book made up of mentorship relation showcases how modern youth is gradually turning back to the authentic fragile art called poetry.

What’s hot?
1. Every poem in this book is innocent, raw and from bottom of the heart.
2. The book donates 50p from sale of every book to charity
3. The book has been Celebrated by Guardian and has been a part of BBC Radio 3 documentary.

Book Cover : 4.8/5
Rating : 5/5
Status : Highly recommended

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book, aware of the debate around Clanchy's other work, in the hopes of hearing directly from her students. To a considerable extent, this worked. There are some great poems in here and the poets do speak for themselves. My four-star rating reflects this aspect of the book.

However, the 'sameness' of some of the poems made me think about editorial policies; out of the hundreds or thousands of poems which must have been written in her classes, Clanchy has chosen a large number which include 'colourful' nostalgic images of an 'other' place, lots which use one or two words in another language, lots which express a vague longing for 'home' but none which criticise England... On the one hand, I'm sure these are heartfelt poems and some of them are excellent. On the other, what other equally heartfelt feelings are not being shared here? Is that through Clanchy's selection or the self-editorialising of teenage poets in her workshops? I can't, of course, possibly know, but I did develop suspicions.

[Saajidah · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless the day I chanced upon Kate Clanchy on Twitter, for I would have never been led to this book otherwise. I religiously follow her tweets on her extraordinary students and their works.

This book is just a selection of those poems, focusing on the voices of migrant and refugee children. No review can do it justice, this book has to be experienced first-hand.

As is customary whenever I read any of her student's poems, I cried through most of this book. The book is very special to me and it is peppered with tags, but I can't not call out the works of Mohamed Assaf and Mukahang Limbu specifically. I do not know how they wrote such poems at the ages of 12 and 15. Thank you, thank you, thank you.



Right, I am now off to bawl my eyes out at my utter lack of talent.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First came across these poems via Twitter and was astounded by how much was packed into such a short text, and by such young poets. Many of them had arrived at an Oxford school as refugees, recent immigrants, or with low levels of English, and they wrote movingly about their experiences and lives. It was also interesting to read the introduction by the school's poet in residence about how worked with the children to help them all to see poetry writing/reading as part of their wider lives and not just something that's only done in English lessons. It's one to dip in and out of a bit - read a poem or two then mull them over while you read something else. Highly recommended.

[Seamus Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of some excellent poems from young people. It brings to life the struggles of young people from war zones, the places they have come from and it casts a refreshing and positive light on both young people and immigration.

Kate Clancy has received some pretty negative press but having read this book, heard her speak with such passion and having had the opportunity to speak to her in person I find it impossible to see her as other than an inspirational teacher and a person who cares deeply about young people who have had difficult times.

This is a very human book and ought to be read in all schools.

[Anthony Frobisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary. The poems create such rich visions of place, identity, longing. You read and absorb their words. You linger on their meaning. You read them again.
And then you note the age of these brilliant young poets. 12, 15, 17, 18. Many of whom came to England through displacement, refugees and immigration. Many of whom had to learn English. And what a gift they have shared.
A superb collection, wonderfully collated and edited by their teacher, Kate Clanchy. Read this book. Amazing.

[* ✧ ･ﾟcara ･ﾟ✧ * · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poetry collection was beautifully written and very moving. The imagery created and emotions the poems brought were incredible. And it’s so unbelievable that these were written by students. One of my favourite poems out of the collection was ‘I don’t Remember’ by Ismail Akthar who’s only 12 years old! This poem had such great imagery and brings sadness of the life he left in Bangladesh.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous collection of sparse, lyrical poems in various formats by talented young authors who do not hold back. Great collection, needs to be savored. I will be keeping this one to go back to it.
I appreciated the bios of the young poets at the end.

[Carley Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nations talked to nations/ and robbed me of myself/ they made me/ a number among millions

This poetry collection was written by immigrant students in England, and it was absolutely incredible. This should be required reading.

[Ainsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and in places heart wrenching. A wonderful insight into the lives of this group of children and young adults, many of whom have experienced significant upheaval. You cannot fail to be moved by the content.

[Mohsina Akram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing and moving anthology written by extraordinary young poets from a local Oxford school. Some of my favourites are Directions (The vivid descriptions of her home, reminded me of my home), Iman Dari, I come from and شعر عن الأم.

[Johara Almogbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful. Every one of these poets are so talented, the way they frame their experiences moves you whether you like it or not. Definitely recommended.

[Tejaswinee Kelkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for our time.

[Anna Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

[Kevin Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming and poignant read by children, above all! Highly recommend!