The Poetry School is a vibrant workshop for fresh ideas in the world of poetry. It seamlessly blends education, research, and practice, championing writers who dare to push boundaries and explore new territories for expression. This very approach has cemented the school’s status as one of the most influential centres for contemporary poetic education in the UK. Read more on london1.one.
The Founding and Evolution of the Poetry School
Founded in 1997 by Mimi Khalvati, Jane Duran, and Pascale Petit, the Poetry School has since grown into a vital platform for poets in the UK and internationally. From its inception, the organisation offered courses, workshops, and masterclasses in the capital, fostering the creative growth of writers at all levels—from absolute beginners to seasoned artists. Its programme is refreshed every term, with new courses continually being added to reflect current trends in poetry.
In 2013, the Poetry School launched the CAMPUS blog, an open media platform that acts as the public voice of its community. It quickly became an intellectual hub, publishing articles, reviews, interviews, and new poetry. The platform’s unique selling point is its accessibility: anyone with an internet connection and a love for poetry can join the discussion or submit their own material. Thanks to this open-door policy, CAMPUS has evolved into an international platform connecting poets, publishers, and promoters of poetry from across the globe.
The next major step in the school’s development came in 2014 with the launch of the Lo and Behold! Fund. Its mission was to support innovative projects exploring new ways of creating, disseminating, and engaging with poetry. The fund awarded five grants of £750 each to help poets, artists, and producers realise their boldest creative ideas. From over 150 applications, five projects were selected for their originality and diverse approaches.
2015 marked a new milestone as the Poetry School partnered with Newcastle University. This collaboration resulted in a unique MA programme in Writing Poetry, which marries the academic rigour of a university education with the practical creative mastery of the school. Teaching takes place in both London and Newcastle, and students from both groups gather annually for a joint summer school, which alternates between the two locations. In the capital, students were initially taught by renowned poets Roddy Lumsden and Clare Pollard, while beyond London, the tutors included Sean O’Brien and Bill Herbert.
In 2022, the Poetry School celebrated its 25th anniversary by commencing a new chapter in its history. On February 1st, it relocated its seminars, events, and other activities to the Somerset House Exchange—one of London’s most famous arts centres. This space, which calls itself the “working hub for the arts in the capital,” perfectly mirrors the school’s ethos: openness, collaboration, and continuous renewal. Prior to the move, the school was based at the Dock Offices, Canada Water, in South East London.
Recognition and Significance of the Poetry School’s Work
Over more than a quarter of a century, the Poetry School has transformed into a national centre for poetic education, significantly impacting the development of contemporary British and global poetry. Notably, it established the CAMPUS online platform, which has become the world’s largest social network dedicated to poetry. This platform has grown into a global space where poets can learn, exchange experiences, and find support, unifying the community of writers from numerous countries. Beyond its educational programmes, the organisation plays a crucial role in developing wider poetry initiatives. It is a partner and co-founder of several important projects, including the Ginkgo Prize for Ecopoetry, Primers, and the Women Poets’ Prize.
