Former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho Inspires Hundreds of Young Readers at Yarm School

Yarm School was delighted to welcome the internationally acclaimed poet, author, and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, for an inspiring literary event that brought together nearly 600 pupils from across the region.

The visit, which was organised in partnership with local independent bookseller Drake the Bookshop, saw the Princess Alexandra Auditorium filled with excitement as pupils from eleven local schools gathered to hear from one of the UK’s most versatile and beloved writers. The visiting schools included West View Primary School, Egglescliffe CE Primary School, Ian Ramsey CE Academy, Layfield Primary School, Fens Primary School, Preston Primary School, Oakdene Primary School, Kirkby-in-Cleveland CE Primary School, Kader Academy, and Yarm Primary School, alongside Yarm Prep School.

Generous sponsorship from David Knowles Funeral Service helped fund transport for visiting schools, ensuring the event was inclusive and open to pupils from across Teesside. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our local community and to the promotion of literacy.

During the high-energy session, Joseph – winner of the prestigious Carnegie Medal for his verse novel The Boy Lost in the Maze – took the audience on a journey through the power of language. He shared insights into the inspiration behind his popular works, including the Genie Hunter series, and worked with the children using language devices to create poetry, encouraging every student in the room to see themselves as a writer. Following the presentation, students were able to meet Joseph in person to have their books signed, creating a lasting memory of the day.

Mr. Boddy, who coordinated the visit, said: “It was a privilege to host Joseph Coelho. His ability to connect with young people through poetry and prose is truly special. Seeing so many children captivated by the spoken and written word is a testament to the importance of these events.”

David Knowles said “Supporting our local community is at the very heart of everything we do, so it was a real privilege to sponsor the visit of Joseph Coelho to Yarm School. Seeing over 500 pupils from eleven schools come together, engage with such a talented author and take part in something as creative as writing a collective poem was truly inspiring. Opportunities like this can have a lasting impact on young people and we’re proud to have played a small part in making that experience possible.”