EDUCATION

Written by
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial
  • Matt Abbott Poet | Schools testimonial

Since 2013, I’ve been delivering poetry and creative workshops for both formal and non-formal learning groups: ranging from primary school pupils through to pensioners. I’ve worked extensively around England as well as in Scotland, Wales, and mainland Europe – taking in hundreds of schools in all shapes and sizes.

As well as mainstream and alternative educational provisions, I’ve also worked for organisations including museums and galleries, arts and music festivals, community groups, and charities. I’m able to tailor sessions to a variety of desired outcomes and objectives.

Matt Abbott’s poem ‘Push’

My main strengths lie in enthusiasm and confidence building, and my ability to articulate to specific groups and individuals as required. I have no formal teaching experience or qualifications; I simply have an infectious passion for words and poetry.

The obstacle that I constantly encounter (and dismantle) is the perceived barrier to poetry – it’s often unfairly viewed as a sacred, intimidating, and complex form. My job is to make it feel accessible and enjoyable to writers of all abilities and needs!

Matt Abbott Poet | North Cornwall Book Festival 2021
Matt Abbott Poet | Blue Peter

In terms of formal education work, as well as the standard mainstream set-up I’ve also worked with GCSE pupils who’ve been flagged up as struggling in English, pupils who’ve been excluded from mainstream education, and voluntary after-school groups. This includes Alternative Provisions such as SEMH schools and PRUs. I’ve also worked in international schools.

Outside of formal education, I’ve worked with refugees and asylum seekers, youth offending teams, homeless charities, and NEETs, as well as adults that have signed up for writing and/or performance workshops through festivals and events.

Matt Abbott ‘Remarkable Lives’ poem for Academies Enterprise Trust

In summer 2017, I was appointed as an ambassador for Eureka! The National Children’s Museum with this poem. In late 2018, I was commissioned to write ‘Remarkable Lives‘ for AET – the largest schools group in England – and this has since been incorporated into their core identity.

Remarkable Lives pupil poems at Unity City Academy (February 2019)Download

My début kids’ poetry collection ‘A Hurricane in my Head’ was published by Bloomsbury Education in July, and signed copies are available to purchase here. It’s targeted at ages 10-14 but is suitable for 8+. It was a National Poetry Day selected title in 2019 and led to a live appearance on Blue Peter.

Matt Abbott Poet | A Hurricane in my Head
Matt Abbott Poet | North Cornwall Book Festival 2021

I have an Enhanced DBS certificate from September 2022 and I drive. I’m based in Leeds but regularly work around the UK and am happy to travel, depending on my availability. As well as booking me directly, you’ll also find me on the books of leading national organisations including The Poetry Society, Authors Abroad, Arvon, and the National Literacy Trust.

Matt Abbott Poet | School bookings 2022/23
Matt Abbott poetry visits in schools for the 2022/23 academic year

Previous clients

I’ve worked in hundreds of schools around the UK and Europe. Below is a selection of the organisations that I’ve also delivered workshops for.

Harrogate International Festivals | Matt Abbott Poet
The Hepworth Wakefield | Matt Abbott Poet
Holmfirth Arts Festival | Matt Abbott Poet
Leeds Art Gallery | Matt Abbott Poet
Leeds Waterfront Festival | Matt Abbott Poet
Long Division Festival | Matt Abbott Poet
Love Music Hate Racism | Matt Abbott Poet
National Coal Mining Museum for England | Matt Abbott Poet
The Poetry Takeaway | Matt Abbott Poet
Tees Valley Arts | Matt Abbott Poet
The Hut Airedale | Matt Abbott Poet
Theatre Royal Wakefield | Matt Abbott Poet
Trinity Homeless Projects | Matt Abbott Poet
Academies Enterprise Trust | Matt Abbott Poet
Appetite Stoke | Matt Abbott Poet
Foundation Futures | Matt Abbott Poet
Grassington Arts Festival | Matt Abbott Poet
Wakefield Lit Fest | Matt Abbott Poet
Wakefield Youth Offending Team | Matt Abbott Poet
We Do Creativity | Matt Abbott Poet
Word On The Street | Matt Abbott Poet
Edgeland Arts | Matt Abbott Poet
Seaglass Collective | Matt Abbott Poet
Roundhouse London | Matt Abbott Poet
Cygnet Health Hospital, Bury | Matt Abbott Poet
Matt Abbott Poet | WiseTalk
Matt Abbott Poet | The Poetry Society
Matt Abbott Poet | Leeds 2023
Matt Abbott Poet | Verve Poetry Festival
Matt Abbott Poet | Wokingham Children's Book Festival
Matt Abbott Poet | Liverpool Children's Festival of Reading
Matt Abbott Poet | Off The Shelf Festival 2019
Matt Abbott Poet | Wakefield Museum
Matt Abbott Poet | Trees In Mind
Matt Abbott Poet | First Story
Matt Abbott Poet | Star Bereavement
Matt Abbott Poet | One to One Development Trust
Matt Abbott Poet | North Cornwall Book Festival
Matt Abbott Poet | National Literacy Trust
Matt Abbott Poet | Bradford Producing Hub
Matt Abbott Poet | Arvon
Matt Abbott Poet | The Anne Frank Trust UK
Matt Abbott Poet | Sunny Bank Mills
Matt Abbott Poet | Libraries Connected
Matt Abbott Poet | RLWC21
Matt Abbott Poet | Slung Low
Matt Abbott Poet | Authors Abroad
Matt Abbott’s Arvon poetry workshop on the transition from Y6 to Y7

poet, educator & activist