Archive Project: Poetry - School of Dark

Project Description

Poetry - School of Dark

Charlie Dark is a dynamic part of the United Kingdom’s poetry and performance scene as a writer, producer and DJ known for his flamboyant gestures and vocal gymnastics.  He makes regular appearances on the literature and spoken word circuit and is an experienced tutor and workshop facilitator and he has been a poet coach for the London Teenage Poetry Slam for three years running. 

Well known for his innovative style, Charlie Dark set his show ‘School of Dark’ in a specially built classroom at Ash Green School’s Community Theatre where the show captured the children’s imagination and used their enthusiasm to encourage them to respond creatively.  The children were invited to sit and as they did it soon transpired that this was no ordinary classroom, and Charlie is not your ordinary teacher! As Charlie relates tales from his own school days the fictional world of the classroom keeps interrupting with a life of its own. The classroom contains various elements to interact with, which encourage the children to use their senses to explore the environment and from this create and perform a group poem.  The idea of the show was to combine a creative writing workshop and performance with Charlie’s experience of being a poet in residence in two East London primary schools.  Charlie’s vision for ‘School of Dark’ is to give an opportunity to all children to engage with poetry in a fun and dynamic way.

Teachers Feedback
''The performance had lots of energy and humour.  It was great to see the enjoyment on the children’s faces – particularly my own pupil who was determined not to enjoy a poetry workshop on principle, but couldn’t help himself!''

''I learnt different strategies for teaching different forms of poetry and engaging pupil’s interest.  Lots of good ideas for a focus on interactive approaches within a performance setting.''

''I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.  There were loads if great ideas for teaching poetry which I will try and attempt!''

''It was a ‘fun’ experience – what learning at its best is all about.  The interaction between Charlie and the pupils was excellent.  I hope we can build upon this experience in school.''

''The humour, the fun, the informality, the new ideas for engaging the children.  We liked the way Charlie made even ordinary ideas seem something special.''

''Some great ideas for performance and extra ideas for building/writing poems.  I loved the visual surroundings as a stimulus.''

''Great for the boys, I wish I had brought more with me.  All the children (and myself) had a fabulous time and were inspired.  Charlie should be a ‘must see’ in every school.''


Pupil’s Feedback
What did you learn at the School of Dark?
''I learnt that poetry can be really fun and that it should come from your heart and not your brain.''

''Poems need strong openings and good endings and I learnt that poetry does not need to rhyme and its fun.''

''I learnt that if you use your senses it will make your poem seem more exciting.  The mores adventurous words you use the better it will get.''

''I learned in the School of dark, that we can make our poems even better if we add powerful words to make the reader ‘feel the scene’.''

''I learnt new words and some cool poems.  It is easy that poetry can be fun.''

What did you enjoy about the School of Dark?
''The man was funny and very entertaining.''

''I liked that it was very humorous.  I liked that you did mini-experiments to make the poem and I loved the fact that there were sound effects.''

''It was fun and very exciting all through the morning.  It ws sad to know it only went on for half a day, I think it should have gone on for longer.''

''I enjoyed it because he got us involved and the way everything was set out.  I found it really exciting and it was something to remember.''

''I really liked using the cool weapon (pencil) and a great ‘best friend’ (notebook).  It was very funny and the ‘secret’ workshop was fantastic.''

''When everyone had to do the disgusting chores and then we made a poem out of describing words.''

''The different tastes and smells were cool, it was funny and educational.''

''That is was funny and it totally changed my opinion about poems because I thought they were boring before.''

''It was brilliant!!''

Is there anything else you would like to say about the School of Dark?
''It was so much fun. I would like to go again.''

''I thought the School of Dark was really amazing.  I learnt loads of new ‘wow’ words.''

''The best poetry comes from the heart.  I am glad I went.''

''I thought that it was a good and funny experience and Professor Dark was very inspirational.''

''I thought the classroom was cool and the show was really funny and I liked the lighting and I also liked that it wasn’t just a sit down and writing.  It was completely different.''

''It was like no other poetry you have experienced and I am glad I got chosen to go.''

''The best afternoon of school – Well done Professor Dark, your poems are brilliant.''

''I want to go to the School of Dark again.  It was funny and I got wet!''

''It was so funny that I was in tears nearly!''

''I really enjoyed it and it changed my opinion about poems.''

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