Year 10 “Poetry in Action” – Exploring the Power of Wilfred Owen

This term 3, our Year 10 English students engaged in an enriching live performance and workshop experience with Poetry in Action, focusing on the powerful war poetry of Wilfred Owen. The performance brought Owen’s work to life on stage, enabling students to deepen their understanding of the emotional, social and historical contexts that shaped his writing.

Throughout the presentation, actors blended drama, humour and dynamic storytelling to explore key poems such as Dulce et Decorum Est, Anthem for Doomed Youth and Futility. Students were guided to consider how Owen used imagery, irony and personal testimony to challenge romanticised ideas of war and reveal its harsh realities. The performance offered valuable insight into how poetry can be both a personal expression and a form of protest.

Following the show, students participated in a Q&A session where they asked thoughtful questions about poetic technique, characterisation and the creative choices involved in adapting literature for the stage. Many students commented on how seeing the poetry performed enhanced their appreciation of how language, tone and rhythm shape meaning.

This experience supports our curriculum focus on Texts and Human Experiences by encouraging students to reflect critically on how writers represent conflict, trauma and the value of human life. It also builds skills in analysis, interpretation and empathy that will assist students as they transition into senior English.

We are proud of the maturity and engagement Year 10 demonstrated throughout this event. Experiences like this help strengthen students’ confidence with challenging texts and broaden their understanding of the role literature plays in shaping social conscience.

Mrs Di Cola

English Coordinator