Celebrating National Poetry Day 2026: ‘Wonder’ in Our Local Community

On Thursday, 1st October, Park View School will be joining schools across the country to celebrate National Poetry Day 2026. This year’s official theme is “Wonder,” and our central message for students is simple: poetry can sound like us and describe the places we actually live in and know.

To bring the theme to life, mentor groups and assembly sessions will focus on local North East heritage and talent, exploring how regional identity connects to creative expression.

Mentor Group Activities & Focus Points

• “Sand Dancer” by Rowan McCabe: Students will explore the work of local poet Rowan McCabe—born in South Shields and raised in Hebburn—who is famous for bringing door-to-door poetry to unexpected places. Pupils will examine local doorstep imagery, complete vocabulary circle maps, and write short poems capturing their own connection to the area.
• The “Pitman Poet” (Joseph Skipsey): Looking back at North Shields heritage, classes will watch an animation of Joseph Skipsey’s Victorian miner poem “Get Up”. Born in 1832, Skipsey worked in the mines from a young age and captured the reality of local industrial life through verse. Pupils will build vocabulary around life “Down the mine” to craft their own poetry.
• Local Image “I Wonder” Prompts: Interactive writing activities based on landmark photography from around South Shields will encourage pupils to ask questions, explore curiosity, and describe everyday local views through a lens of wonder.

Further resources and inspiration can be found on the official Forward Arts Foundation website. We look forward to reading and sharing our students’ creations throughout the week!