Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to indulge in some delightful desserts! Here are three scrumptious recipes from the BBC Good Food website that will bring a burst of flavour to your table:

• Mini Egg Cheesecake 
• Rhubarb and Custard Blondies 
• Hot Cross Bread and Lemon Pudding 
• Spring Celebration Salad
• Herby Spring Chicken Pot Pie
• Spanakopita

Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delightful spring recipes!

World Poetry Day, celebrated annually on March 21st, is a day designated by UNESCO to promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry, and to honour the power of poetry as a universal form of human expression and cultural identity. 

We celebrate the beauty and power of poetry. From ancient verses to modern masterpieces, poetry has the unique ability to capture emotions, tell stories, and inspire change. Let's take a moment to appreciate the poets who enrich our lives with their words and creativity. 🖋️❤️

The day aims to:

• Promote the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry. 
• Celebrate the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. 
• Support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increase the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard. 
• Honour poets and revive the practice of poetry recitals. 
• Encourage people to engage with poetry in all its forms. 

History:

UNESCO first adopted March 21st as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999. 

Links

• English Literature KS3 / GCSE: Poets in Person - BBC Teach
• English Literature GCSE: Between the Lines - The Romantics - BBC Teach
• English Literature GCSE: Poetry - Between the Lines - BBC Teach
• English Literature KS3 / GCSE: Simon Armitage - Writing Poems - BBC Teach
• KS3 / KS4 English Language: Inside the Writer's Mind - BBC Teach
• Could you be a poet? - BBC Teach
• Poems and Resources - Forward Arts Foundation
• Kids’ Poems and Stories With Michael Rosen - YouTube
• Authors Live on Demand - Scottish Book Trust
• The Children’s Poetry Archive - Listen to the world's best children's poetry read out loud.
• Teens | The Poetry Foundation
• How to use rhyme effectively guide for KS3 English students - BBC Bitesize
• Writing slam and spoken word poetry guide for KS3 English students - BBC Bitesize
• Youth Speaks - YouTube

Competitions

• Foyle Young Poets – of the Year Award
• Poetry By Heart
• The Orwell Youth Prize | The Orwell Foundation
• D.H. Lawrence Children's Prize: Writing Competition
• No Place Like Home – Art and Poetry Competition for Schools - Sanctuary Foundation
• Pet Poetry Competition for 5-18 year-olds | Young Writers
• Poetry Competition - IF Oxford

Games

• Magnetic Poetry : Play with the Kids Magnetic Poetry Kit
• Creative Communication

Poetry book recommendations for teenagers

• Favourite poetry books teens | BookTrust
• Childrens Poetry
• Teen Poetry Books

Here are some great films about poetry that are suitable for teenagers:

• Dead Poets Society (1989) - This classic film follows an English teacher who inspires his students through poetry. It's a powerful story about the impact of literature and the importance of following one's passions.
• Paterson (2016) - This film tells the story of a bus driver and poet named Paterson, who finds beauty in the everyday moments of life. It's a gentle and inspiring film that highlights poetry in the mundane.
• The Kindergarten Teacher (2018) - This movie features a kindergarten teacher who discovers that one of her students is a poetry prodigy. It's a thought-provoking film about the power of creativity and the responsibilities of nurturing talent.
• Akeelah and the Bee (2006) - While not solely about poetry, this film follows a young girl who discovers her talent for spelling and language, including poetry. It's an uplifting story about perseverance and self-discovery.
• Poetry (2010) - This South Korean film tells the story of an elderly woman who discovers a passion for writing poetry while facing personal challenges. It's a beautiful and moving film that can inspire teenagers to find their own creative outlets.
• The Secret Garden (1993) - This adaptation of the classic novel includes beautiful poetic elements and themes of growth and healing, making it a great family film.
• The Tale of Despereaux (2008) - This animated film tells the story of a brave mouse who loves reading and poetry. It's a charming tale of courage and adventure suitable for all ages.
• Horton Hears a Who! (2008) - Based on Dr. Seuss's book, this animated film features whimsical rhymes and a heart-warming story about kindness and community.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Inspired by a poem written by Tim Burton, this stop-motion animated film combines poetry with a unique and enchanting storyline.
• The BFG (2016) - Adapted from Roald Dahl's book, this film includes poetic elements and imaginative language as it tells the story of a young girl and her giant friend.
• The Little Prince (2015) - This animated adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic novella combines beautiful visuals with poetic themes of love, friendship, and the importance of imagination.
• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) - This stop-motion animated film features a young boy who uses storytelling and music to navigate his adventures. It has poetic elements and a touching narrative.

PolyMAT at the CST Communications Summit 2025

Our Polymat staff were thrilled to attend the CST Communications Summit 2025 in Birmingham on March 6th. This event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, gain insights from leading educational thinkers, and explore innovative communication and marketing strategies.

Highlights from the Summit:

• Inspiring Keynotes: We heard from some of today's leading practitioners, expert policy thinkers, and inspirational voices from across the sector.
• Strategic Communications: Sessions focused on moving from tactical to strategic communications, emphasising the importance of expressing organisational values and vision.
• Networking Opportunities: We connected with colleagues from school trusts across the country, sharing experiences, ideas and best practice.
• Innovative Providers: Engaged with innovative providers to the school trust sector, exploring new tools and resources.

It was truly inspiring to be surrounded by so many creative minds at this event. We're excited to bring all the fresh ideas and inspiration we gathered at the event into our marketing and communications at PolyMAT.

Watch now: 

Discover more about the London Trust Leaders Network (LTLN) and their latest event. Tim Plumb, our CEO at PolyMAT, is a proud co-founder of LTLN.

On Tuesday, March 4th, we held our third London Trust Leaders’ Network (LTLN) meeting at St Paul’s Way Secondary School in Bow.

The LTLN was established by Gill Kemp, CEO of University Schools Trust; Matthew Kleiner-Mann, CEO of The Ivy Learning Trust; Tim Plumb, CEO of PolyMAT and Sian John, Chief Talent Officer at E-ACT.

This network plays a crucial role in connecting trust leaders with the Department for Education (DfE). The DfE Regional Director and her team dedicate themselves to attending our three annual meetings, where they share their priorities and engage with trust leaders both as a group and individually. Each meeting features priority updates from the Regional Director and her team, opportunities for questions and networking with DfE colleagues, as well as updates from Ofsted, the CST, and other important sector partners. This presents an invaluable opportunity to support the sector, entirely free of charge!

The event took place at St Paul’s Way Secondary School in Bow, one of Gill Kemp’s schools. We began the day with a welcome breakfast in the main foyer before transitioning to the lecture theatre for the sessions. Gill and Tim greeted everyone and outlined the day's agenda, introducing our first speaker, Claire Burton, the London Regional Director from the Regions Group at the DfE. Following this, our guests broke into smaller groups to interact with members of Claire’s team. We then regrouped for a presentation by Leora Cruddas, CEO of CST, followed by insights from Mark Emmerson of London Bridge The Gap.

We enjoyed a delightful break with refreshments before returning to the lecture theatre for an online call with John Kennedy. Throughout the day, there were also multiple opportunities for Q&A sessions and discussions.

Overall, it was a remarkable event, and we were delighted to welcome so many trust leaders from across London.

We look forward to our next gathering on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025.

Catch all the highlights from the event in our latest video! 🎥✨ Watch it now!

#LTLN #LondonTrustLeadersNetwork #London #TrustLeaders

International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 will be celebrated on 8th March 2025.

This year's theme is "Accelerate Action", emphasising the need for swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. The campaign calls for increased momentum in addressing systemic barriers and biases that women face in both personal and professional spheres.

The theme highlights the importance of supporting organisations and groups that work tirelessly to advance women's rights and empowerment. It encourages everyone to take action in their daily lives by challenging stereotypes, celebrating women's achievements, and promoting gender equality.

Additionally, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a significant milestone in the global pursuit of gender equality. This year's celebrations will focus on advancing women's and girls' rights, promoting gender equality, and fostering empowerment through inclusive access to education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

International Women’s Day 2025

• IWD: Learn about International Women's Day (IWD)
• International Women's Day videos
• IWD: Enjoy an International Women's Day word search puzzle
• IWD: IWD 2025 campaign theme is 'Accelerate Action'
• IWD: Color your world with inspirational women
• IWD: What's the timeline of International Women's Day?
• Participate in the exciting IWD 2025 Lettering Challenge with the Typism community
• International Women's Day book launches
• International Women's Day book launches

Free resources

• International Women's Day | United Nations
• Women's History Month 2025 - Teaching Resources - BBC Teach
• Free classroom resources for International Women’s Day - Scholastic UK - Children's Books, Book Clubs, Book Fairs and Teacher Resources
• Women in STEM Printables to Inspire During Women's History Month
• Smashing Stereotypes - British Science Week
• Women's History Month | Sky HISTORY TV Channel
• Your Story, Our History: Women's History Month – UK Parliament, March 2021
• BBC 100 Women 2024: Who is on the list this year? - BBC News
• 25 FREE Posters for International Women’s Day
• 25 FREE International Women's Day Classroom Activities & Resources | Teach Starter
• 50+ Fun Women's History Month Icebreakers For Work
• International Women's Day - National Geographic Kids
• International Women’s Day Facts, Worksheets, Date & History For Kids
• Primary assemblies: International Women’s Day - BBC Teach
• Sisters in Innovation: 20 Women Inventors You Should Know | A Mighty Girl

Book recommendations

• pack:International Women's Day (sport) - Best Books for Schools
• Stories About Women Who Changed The World | Penguin Random House
• Women | BookTrust
• Check out our favourite kids books for International Women's Day | Toppsta
• 50 Children's Books About Mighty Girls & Women Around The World | A Mighty Girl
• International Women's Day Book list: 16+ | Words for Life
• 99 Books about Extraordinary Black Mighty Girls and Women | A Mighty Girl

Film recommendations

• Movies with Strong Female Characters | Common Sense Media
• 30 Great Feminist Movies About Strong Women To Watch As A Family
• Movies for Smart, Confident, and Courageous Girls | A Mighty Girl