School Workshops
Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind
Mark Refugee Week 2026 with an inspiring poetry workshop, exploring this year’s theme of Courage. Workshops suitable for both primary and secondary schools.
Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind (Primary Programme)
Many of those seeking refuge in our country have had to show enormous courage. In making the decision to abandon their homes and all they know in the face of unimaginable danger. In undertaking long and perilous journeys in search of safety. In adapting to new ways of life – and, often, learning a new language. And it’s up to us, too, to show courage in return: the courage to welcome people into our communities, the courage to value what they bring and the courage to share our hearts.
Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind comprises workshops in which pupils explore the notion and power of courage through age-appropriate drama-based techniques, then craft collaborative ballads, acrostic poems and cinquains focusing on:
- The Courage to be Kind (EYFS – Year 2/P1 – P3 / Junior Infants – First Class, ballads)
- The Courage to Share (Years 3 & 4/P4 & P5 / Second -Third Class, acrostic poems)
- The Courage to Understand (Years 5 & 6/P6 & P7/Fourth – Fifth Class, cinquains)
Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind can accommodate the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day, opening with an assembly at which a member of our team supports the children in dissecting what we mean by “courage” – and shares a relevant poem. If time allows, we can include a second assembly, too – during which classes perform their poems. It’s also possible to deliver longer workshops to fewer classes – and these longer workshops would see children writing some of their own individual poems. Whichever option you choose, though, we will send you designed and illustrated versions of all the work.
Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind (Secondary Programme)
Many of those seeking refuge in our country have had to show enormous courage. In making the decision to abandon their homes and all they know in the face of unimaginable danger. In undertaking long and perilous journeys in search of safety. In adapting to new ways of life – and, often, learning a new language. And it’s up to us, too, to show courage in return: the courage to welcome people into our communities, the courage to value what they bring – and the courage to challenge some of the prevailing discourses around immigration. Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind comprises workshops in which students explore the issues through drama-based activities, then craft collaborative cinquains focusing on The Courage to Understand.
Refugee Week Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind can accommodate up to 60 students at a time in workshops lasting from a single lesson, allowing a member of our team to potentially work with a large number of students in just one day. It’s also possible, too, to deliver longer workshops to fewer groups – and these longer workshops would see students writing some of their own individual poems too. Whichever option you choose, though, we will send you designed and illustrated versions of all the work!
Workshop FAQs
How many pupils can take part in one day?
Refuge Rhymes: The Courage to be Kind can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop.
What is the format of the day?
We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day.
In a two-form entry primary school, with all year groups apart from Reception taking part in groups of up-to 60, the timetable might look like this:
09.00 – 09.20: (optional) Whole-school assembly, where your visitor will introduce the day…
09.20 – 10.00: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …
10.00 – 10.40: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …
10.40 – 11.20: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …
11.20 – 11.50: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.30: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …
1.30 – 2.10: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.10 – 2.50: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …
2.50 – 3.30: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.
In a one-form entry junior school the timetable might look like this:
9.00 – 10.15: Year 3 workshop, in the classroom…
10.15 – 11.30: Year 4 workshop, in the classroom…
11.30 – 12.00: Year 5 workshop, in the classroom…
LUNCH
1.00 – 1.45: Year 5 workshop (cont’d)
1.45 – 3.00: Year 6 workshop, in the classroom.
In a secondary school the timetable might look like this:
9.00 – 10.00: Session 1
10.00 – 11.00: Session 2
11.00 – 12.00: Session 3
LUNCH
1.00 – 2.00: Session 4
2.00 – 3.00: Session 5
Are there any technical requirements?
Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in each working space, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint.
| Year Groups | EYFS-Y6 |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Poetry |
| Pupil Numbers | 60 per workshop |
| Duration | Multiple workshops over one day |
| Space | Large space required in primary schools. |
Workshop Testimonials
Just wanted to say a massive thank you for delivering a fantastic day of poetry to our school. The children were all enthused about making and performing their poetry and the teachers all had glowing feedback after their workshop. We would definitely book again when we do poetry as a school next year!
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