Discovering, celebrating, and publishing the next generation of youth poets
Spoken Word Power Live is a free programme open to primary, secondary and SEND schools across the UK and beyond, supporting schools to make poetry fun and engaging.
This online programme offers a unique opportunity for young people to explore creativity, self-expression and performance while building confidence and oracy skills.
Participating schools will be guided through a six-step journey to creating and sharing their own spoken word pieces.
Sign up and follow the journey below to be part of Spoken Word Power Live this year!
Your Spoken Word Power Journey
STEP ONETEACHER CPD SESSION
On Wednesday 20th November 2024, Eastside’s Spoken Word Power Lead Artist, Jacob Sam-La Rose, will be hosting an online twilight Teacher CPD workshop for teachers taking part in Spoken Word Power Live.
STEP TWO JOIN THE LIVESTREAM
Join schools up and down the country kickstarting their spoken word journey with an interactive 50-minute livestream lesson in late January, led by two poetry experts.
STEP THREE DEVELOP YOUR POEMS
Use our free, on-demand video resources and lesson plans to take your students to the next stage of their spoken word journey, from writing, to editing and performing!
STEP FOUR HOST YOUR SLAM
Take to the stage and celebrate World Poetry Day, with your very own live poetry slam event, using our handy guide to support.
STEP FIVEPERFORM ON THE WEST END
Enter our competition for the chance to perform at the Spoken Word Power Final at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End, alongside other students and professional poets.
Submit your poems to the competition by 27th February 2024
STEP SIX BECOME A PUBLISHED POET
Submit a student’s poem to feature in Eastside’s annual Spoken Word Power Anthology. Any educational institution working with students up to the age of 18 is eligible to submit a poem.
Submit your poems to the anthology by 28th April 2025
On Tuesday 2nd December 2025, Eastside’s Spoken Word Power Lead Artist, Jacob Sam-La Rose, will be hosting an online twilight Teacher CPD workshop for teachers taking part in Spoken Word Power Live.
Join schools up and down the country kickstarting their spoken word journey with an interactive 50-minute livestream lesson in late January, led by two poetry experts.
Use our free, on-demand video resources and lesson plans to take your students to the next stage of their spoken word journey, from writing, to editing and performing!
Take to the stage and celebrate World Poetry Day, with your very own live poetry slam event, using our handy guide to support.
Enter our competition for the chance to perform at the Spoken Word Power Final at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End, alongside other students and professional poets.
Submit your poems to the competition by Friday 13th February 2026.
Submit a student’s poem to feature in Eastside’s annual Spoken Word Power Anthology. Any educational institution working with students up to the age of 18 is eligible to submit a poem.
Submit your poems to the anthology by Friday 24th April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to take part?
No – Spoken Word Power Live is completely free for schools. All resources and support are provided at no cost.
Do teachers need previous experience with poetry or performance?
Not at all. The programme is designed to be accessible to everyone, with easy-to-use lesson plans, prompts, and guidance to support you and your students step by step.
How much time will it take?
That’s up to you. Some schools dedicate a few lessons, while others weave it into a longer project. The six steps are flexible and can fit around your timetable.
Can SEND schools or mixed-age groups join in?
Yes. The programme is open to all schools, including SEND settings, and resources can be adapted for different ages and abilities.