PROJECTS
Simon works closely with schools and authorities on longer projects with the core aim of using poetry as a platform for learning through rich, targeted experiences.
ARRAN:
AN ISLAND OF POEMS
2024
Simon says . . .
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Getting to live on an island on the west coast of Scotland for a whole week and spread the joy of poetry around all its schools?! Yes, please! Every student from P4–S3 (plus some seniors) wrote a poem inspired by an outdoors place on the island, with all the poems then combined in a finished binder and library display. Magic.
CLIMATE CLASSROOM
& SHELF LIFE
2024
Simon says . . .
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Using the concept of "Climate Action Towns" as a grounding, this library-based project saw upper-primary school students writing short place-based poetry in an effort to make folk care about local places. Why? Because we act when we care.
VELCRO POETRY
2023
Simon says . . .
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Velcro Poetry returns and it's bigger and better than ever before! It's a privilege to be engaging with many hundreds of Primary 7s across North Ayrshire on this grand adventure of words and their power to stick. It's a poetry intervention with deep meaning . . . and it's a ton of fun.
OFF THE PAGE
2023 & 2024
Simon says . . .
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The aim of this project was to reignite school visits to local libraries. I worked closely with schools, libraries and fellow artists in North Ayrshire to develop a programme taking words "off the page". A highlight for me was designing and delivering an interactive workshop on poetry appreciation, something new and very fun!
VELCRO POETRY
2022
Simon says . . .
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My biggest project to date, I designed and delivered a four week programme to schools across North Ayrshire (P5–S3) with a mental health focus, using poetry as a platform for positive words and self-exploration. I also created legacy resources for the project to continue into the future. I gave Velcro Poetry everything. Why? The answer is simple. Because words stick.
STOORIE STORIES
2021
Simon says . . .
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Working in close collaboration with a team of talented creatives – singer David Douglas, actor Caitlin Fielding, poet Tracy Harvey and singer/songwriter Carol Laula – I devised and delivered poetry inputs inspired by three local history topics, as part of a virtual school project (S1) during lockdown, and edited an anthology of work by students in the participating school, Garnock Community Campus.
UNICORN FAIR
2021
Simon says . . .
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North Ayrshire Council commissioned me to write a new poem in Scots and Gaelic inspired by Scotland's national animal: the unicorn. The commission was also prompted by Lindsay Littleson's book "Guardians of the Wild Unicorns". The poem was then used as a stimulus for new art to be created by students across the council, and the resulting pieces were displayed as part of a beautiful banner that toured schools.
WE ARE THE WORDS
2019
Simon says . . .
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I worked with four P5–6 classes in St Leonards Junior School in Fife over a period of four weeks, with each student writing four short poems per weekly session. The work produced was joyous and a little magical. I then edited an anthology featuring one poem from each participant. My first long-term project and one of which I am extremely proud.
