John Agard won the CLiPPA for a record third time with 'The Poetry World of John Agard', a wonderful example of just how powerful children’s poetry can be. Find out more: https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/2026/07/20/john-agards-third-clippa-win-is-unprecedented/

This week’s Lower Key Stage 2 pick: Koruba, the Case of the Missing Kolo by Àlàbá Ònájìn, published by Scallywag Press. This is a graphic novel for younger readers, with a child-led cast of characters and an engaging mystery to propel the narrative along. More: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/

How does a curriculum built with the Power of Reading develop children's language and imagination for writing? Discover more insights from the 2025-26 Impact Report: https://clpe.org.uk/news/discover-impact-power-reading-teachers-and-children

A huge thank you to our judges this year for choosing our five shortlisted CLiPPA collections. This year’s shortlist includes something for everyone and we hope that all of the schools that were involved in shadowing had an excellent time learning and performing poetry! Jake Hope

We are delighted to be back at the National Theatre today for #CLiPPA26! Here is a reminder of our excellent shortlist... Adam Ming Jack Noel @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social Andersen Press Nosy Crow#CLiPPA26

Just 1 more day to go until CliPPA 2026! 🎉 As we start to count down the hours, we have just one last conversation with Simon Mole talking about how he feels being shortlisted for the award.

This is the impact when schools embed our Power of Reading training across curriculum and practice. We transform how reading is taught, experienced and valued so every child makes real progress. Find out how: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/1RW5-1LLD/por

2 days to go until CliPPA 2026! 🎉 As we get even closer to the big event itself, we're continuing our conversations with this year's shortlisted nominees. Today, we have Shirley Hottier talking about how it feels knowing 'The Poetry World of John Agard' is shortlisted for the award.

Power of Reading isn’t a reading and writing scheme, it's a proven methodology with resources and approaches to support & develop confident, motivated readers and writers. Find out more: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/1RW5-1LLD/por

3 days to go until CliPPA 2026! 🎉 As we're only days away from knowing who has won CLiPPA 2026, we're continuing our conversations with this year's shortlisted nominees. Today, we've got Sean Taylor speaking about how he felt finding out he was shortlisted for the award.

6 days to go until CliPPA 2026! 🎉 As the countdown continues, we're continuing our conversations with this year's shortlisted nominees. Today, hear from Sam Gayton about his reaction to finding out he was shortlisted for the award.

The countdown to CliPPA 2026 begins! 🎉 With just 7 days to go, we're celebrating by sharing some conversations with this year's shortlisted nominees. Here's Traci N. Todd reflecting on what being shortlisted means to her. Stay tuned for more nominee stories ahead of the big day!

Our latest blog by Ashley Best-White, Executive Headteacher at Nebula Federation, explores how phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, expression, and rich literary experiences work together to help children become fluent, lifelong readers. Read the full blog on our website: clpe.org.uk/blog

The Power of Reading 2025 Impact Report explores how a curriculum built with the Power of Reading benefit teachers and pupils. Discover more insights from the Impact Report: https://clpe.org.uk/news/discover-impact-power-reading-teachers-and-children

Phoebe, our librarian, shares her top KS1 pick: We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang, published by Pushkin Press. A funny, warm-hearted story about kindness, community and the challenge of blending in. Discover more KS1 recommendations on the CLPE blog.

Giving children choice and voice makes poetry meaningful. Drawing on their experiences and emotions helps writing become powerful. Use prompts, reflection time and journals to support expression. Explore more: https://clpe.org.uk/research/poetry-primary-schools-what-we-know-works

Power of Reading is a whole-school approach to literacy, rooted in 50+ years of classroom practice. Shaped by teachers and backed by evidence, it transforms teaching and improves pupil outcomes nationwide. Learn more: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/1RW5-1LLD/por

Mapped to the IPC in partnership with the ICA, the Power of Reading uses high-quality children's literature to build literacy skills. As one teacher shared in our 2025 Impact Report, pupils are gaining vocabulary, confidence and joy through books. Find out more: clpe.org.uk/training

This week’s Early Years pick: I Can't Sleep by Emma Farrarons, published by Rocket Bird Books. It stars two brothers in a very familiar bedtime scenario of one child being ready for bed and the other having just a few more questions to ask. More: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/

We’re so excited to host the CLiPPA 2026 award show on 9 July! Here’s one of the 2025 winning school shadowing groups performing "A Short Introduction to the Doggish Language" by Brian Bilston. We can’t wait to see this year’s winners take to the stage and share their performances.

✨ New blog post ✨ Charley Rabbit shares her motivations for writing 'Monsieur Mustard: The Disappearance of Fabio Fangtooth' as well as a glimpse into her influences and inspirations. Read more: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/monsieur-mustard-blog-charley-rabbit

An amazing day yesterday with the first of our Power of Reading final days, an extra special group: the first cohort of our EEF-funded research trial. Incredible practice, huge impact on pupil engagement & attainment, esp boys, FSM, EAL & SEND. Teachers loving teaching again!

Poetic form is an obstacle to children who are beginning to write poetry. Teachers can help by introducing children to variety of poetic forms that can be used to shape experience and provide a stimulus for writing. Explore more: https://clpe.org.uk/research/poetry-primary-schools-what-we-know-works

Our Power of Reading training uses research-proven approaches to develop literacy. It empowers children to become engaged readers, boosting comprehension, creative thinking, and confident writing. Booking for the 2026-27 academic year is now open — find out more at https://clpe.org.uk/training

✨ New blog post ✨ Dr Amy-Jane Beer shares her motivations for writing 'A River Running Through You' as well as a glimpse into her influences and inspirations. Read more: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/river-running-through-you-blog-amy-jane-beer

We asked the wonderful Simon Mole how he feels being shortlisted for the #CLiPPA26 for his poetry collection 'A First Book of Bugs' published by Walker Books UK. This was his response...

This week’s KS1 pick: Jake in the Middle: Maple Street by Michael Catchpool. Four lively, relatable stories with engaging illustrations. More: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/

Today is your last day to get involved in CLiPPA 2026! 👉 Teachers: record students’ performances and submit by 12pm, TODAY. 👉 Five schools (one per shortlisted collection) will perform at the National Theatre, London on 9 July. Get involved: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

This week’s Lower Key Stage 2 book pick is Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit (New Frontier Publishing). A richly illustrated story of two children, their grandmother, and their pet rabbit seeking refuge in a tower block after a devastating global flood. For more: clpe.org.uk/blog/

Get involved in CLiPPA 2026! 👉 Teachers: record students’ performances and submit by 12pm, 21 May [JUST TWO DAYS AWAY!]. 👉 Five schools (one per shortlisted collection) will perform at the National Theatre, London on 9 July. Get involved: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

Join our CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme! 🎉 Get free teaching plans and videos to help your class explore shortlisted poetry collections and perform their favourites. Find out more: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

A huge congrats to Sean Taylor for being shortlisted for this year’s #CLiPPA26. Bring this collection into your classroom with our Shadowing Scheme! Download the free plan & submit by 21st May. Explore this collection: https://clpe.org.uk/books/book/five-little-friends-collection-finger-rhymes#CLiPPA26

Working with professional poets can transform children’s relationship with poetry. Hearing poets share their inspirations and creative process helps children see themselves as writers too. Explore why poetry matters for literacy: clpe.org.uk/research/poetry-primary-schools-what-we-know-works

CLPE has been leading literacy in primary schools for over 50 years. Join our free online event on 8 June, 4–5pm and explore how we can support your school: clpe.org.uk/training/webinars/leading-english-curriculum-power-reading-online-event-leaders-3

Huge congrats to John Agard, shortlisted for this year’s #CLiPPA2026 for 'The Poetry World of John Agard' iilus. by Shirley Hottier💫 Illustrator & pub. by @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social. Explore & join our CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme by 21 May: clpe.org.uk/books/book/poetry-world-john-agard

Get involved in CLiPPA 2026! 👉 Teachers: record students’ performances and submit by 12pm, 21 May. 👉 Five schools (one per shortlisted collection) will perform at the National Theatre, London on 9 July. Get involved: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

✨ New blog post ✨ Darren Chetty shares his motivations for writing 'I'm going to make a friend' as well as a glimpse into his influences and inspirations. Read more: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/im-going-make-friend-blog-darren-chetty

Helping children connect with poetry starts with voice & choice. Let pupils explore poems that reflect their lives, with no “right” answers, just feelings, ideas & discussion. Download our free poetry guide: https://clpe.org.uk/research/poetry-primary-schools-what-we-know-works

A look inside the literacy library with our very own librarian Phoebe! 👀 https://anewdirection.org.uk/blog/a-look-inside-the-literacy-library

This week’s Upper KS2 pick: Wild Journey by A.M. Dassu, illus. Joe Lillington. A powerful story linking five children’s lives through a starling migration from Egypt to England. More recommendations: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/

Join our CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme! 🎉 Get free teaching plans and videos to help your class explore shortlisted poetry collections and perform their favourites. Find out more: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

✨ New blog post ✨ Jessica Meserve shares the inspiration behind 'Our Tree' and her passion for the wonder of the natural world, full of beauty, wildlife and magic. Read more: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/our-tree-blog-jessica-meserve

Win the 2026 CLiPPA shortlisted books with World Book Day UK Deadline: 26 May 2026. More info: worldbookday.com/competitions/win-the-books-shortlisted-for-the-2026-clippa-clpe-childrens-poetry-award/

Huge congrats to Simon Mole, shortlisted for #CLiPPA2026 for A First Book of Bugs (illus. Adam Ming Walker Books A brilliant mix of science and poetry—perfect for classrooms! Join the Shadowing Scheme, download the plan & enter by 21 May: https://clpe.org.uk/books/book/first-book-bugs

Get involved in CLiPPA 2026! 👉 Teachers: record students’ performances and submit by 12pm, 21 May. 👉 Five schools (one per shortlisted collection) will perform at the National Theatre, London on 9 July. Get involved: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

Poetry is a powerful gateway to literacy, helping children build vocabulary, fluency, inference, imagination & a love of reading. Reading, re-reading & performing poems also boosts confidence, phonics and spelling. Explore more: https://clpe.org.uk/research/poetry-primary-schools-what-we-know-works

Huge congratulations to Sean Taylor on being part of the #CLiPPA2026 shortlist for Five Little Friends, a joyful “playground for language” bringing poetry to life for young children. Explore the Shadowing Scheme: https://clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme

This week's book pick for Lower Key Stage 2 is 'Frank the Monster', written by Mats Strandberg, illustrated by Sofia Felkenham, translated by Julia Marshall and published by Gecko Press. For more book recommendations: https://clpe.org.uk/blog/

Congrats to the #CLiPPA2026 anthology 'This is Not a Small Voice' (Traci N. Todd, illust. by Jade Orlando). A powerful anthology of Black poetry—historic and contemporary. Bring it to your classroom via the CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme: https://clpe.org.uk/books/book/not-small-voice-poems-black-poets

Join our annual CLiPPA shadowing scheme and bring poetry to life in your classroom. We provide free teaching plans and video resources to help your class explore each shortlisted collection and perform their favourite poems. Find out more: clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA/shadowing_scheme