Cheltenham’s Young Poets Take the Stage

On Tuesday 5 May 2026, the Parabola Arts Centre was filled with the powerful voices of Cheltenham’s youth as the Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP), in collaboration with Lives of Colour, hosted their highly anticipated Poetry Slam. The event served as a vibrant showcase of diversity, identity, and creative courage.

The partnership between Lives of Colour and the Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP) places Cheltenham at the forefront of Gloucestershire’s Racial Equity Framework, setting a new standard for embedding inclusivity and representation into education

Launched in October 2025 to coincide with Black History Month, this collaboration serves as a key pillar of the region’s Racial Equity Framework. By introducing several innovative education programmes across Cheltenham secondary schools, the partnership seeks to move beyond traditional curricula, giving students the tools to understand and embrace diversity while preparing them to become confident leaders of the future.

One of these collaborations includes the "Young Poets" programme, a creative journey framed by the evocative theme: "I live in Cheltenham, but I come from." This project challenged students to peel back the layers of their personal histories, exploring the complex intersections of identity, heritage, and local belonging.

Inspired by the work of BAFTA award-winning poet Dean Atta, students from across the region performed original spoken-word pieces. Atta, whose autobiographical poem "I Come From" served as the foundation for the students' workshops, was in attendance as both a guest judge and a performer. Joining him on the panel were Lauren Wyllie, Project Coordinator for Lives of Colour, and Emma Gardner, Learning & Participation Manager for Cheltenham Festivals.

Seven schools took part; Balcarras School, Cleeve School, Pittville School, Dean Close Senior School, All Saints Academy, Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Ladies College, and following a series of moving performances, the winners were announced across two categories:

 Junior Category (Years 7–9)

• 1st Place: Zosia (Cleeve School)

• 2nd Place: Alex (Cleeve School)

• 3rd Place: Harmony-Rain (Pittville School)

Senior Category (Years 10–13)

• 1st Place: Ana (Cleeve School)

• 2nd Place: Alexandra (Dean Close Senior School)

• 3rd Place: Kore (Cheltenham College)

Each winner was awarded a book and a voucher generously donated by Cheltenham Festivals. To inspire the next generation further, every young person who attended the event received a copy of Dean Atta’s acclaimed book, Black Flamingo.

Dean Atta, Guest Judge and BAFTA-winning poet, said:

“I was impressed by the quality of the poetry and how the young people supported one another. Poems tackled big issues like war, politics, and climate change, as well as telling personal stories of grief, friendship, and love. It was so tough being a judge because every poem was so different and every poet was so brave and inspiring.”

Louise Forey, Cheltenham Education Partnership Manager, said:

"Seeing the young people perform at this showcase event was an unforgettable experience, and every student should feel justifiably proud. The education partnership is passionate about expanding the horizons of our town's young people, and enrichment opportunities like this support our next generation on their creative and skills-building journeys."

The event highlighted the ongoing mission of Lives of Colour to elevate culturally diverse voices and CEP’s commitment to town-wide educational enrichment.

Lauren Wyllie, Project Coordinator at Lives of Colour, added:

"The poetry slam was an amazing evening where students used their lived experiences and through the art of poetry challenged social issues and explored identity. The courage and dedication from every student was truly inspiring."

Emma Gardner, Learning and Participation Manager for Cheltenham Festivals, noted:

"The Poetry Slam was a powerful reminder of how important it is to create spaces where young people feel heard... It was inspiring to see students share their work with such honesty, creativity, and courage."

Cal Wensley, Event Facilitator, concluded:

" Every single student who got up on stage should be incredibly proud of themselves. The array of themes, topics, and styles was a testament to just how talented these young people are. The future of poetry is in safe hands."

For more information about Lives of Colour contact: info@livesofcolour.co.uk 07803 307124.

For more information about Cheltenham Education Partnership and its initiatives, please visit the website https://cepartnership.org.uk/ or contact: manager@cepartnership.org.uk.

About CEP

The Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP) brings together schools from both the state and independent sectors, alongside local organisations and charities, to create a unique and collaborative educational community in Cheltenham. Founded to expand horizons and enrich opportunities for young people, CEP works to ensure that students can realise their full potential, regardless of background.