POETRY BY HEART
Brand creation, activation, and competition web platform
When Poetry By Heart first began over ten years ago, we were there from the start — helping shape its identity and digital home. What began as an idea to inspire young people to discover poetry through speaking it out loud has grown into a nationwide celebration of expression. We created the brand and built the website that anchors it all: a space where students explore curated timeline anthologies to find the poems that speak to them, teachers guide their entries and upload performances, and judges review each video through a bespoke system we designed specifically for the competition. Every year, those journeys from classrooms across the country meet on one stage — the Grand Finale at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on London’s South Bank. Each year’s competition reminds us how powerfully a poem can connect hearts, voices, and generations.
Website homepage
The Poetry by Heart website is where all things related to the national competition can be found, from poem anthologies to performance submissions. There is also a wealth of resources for teachers and parents.
Building excitement
The site conveys the thrill and energy of the annual competition, and how it can open life-changing opportunities for young people.
Timeline anthology
Central to the site are founder-selected poetry anthologies for each age group. They underpin the competition and double as inspiring educational resources.
The poems
Each poem is accompanied by helpful features designed to deepen students’ understanding, including Explore the Poem, links to sound recordings, and performance videos.
Themed showcases
Themed showcases such as First World War poetry and Shakespeare sonnets provide another entry point for students to explore poetry.
Social channel
Branded instagram channel helps to promote the competition the whole year round and keep momentum up.
THE VISION
To help build a movement that inspires young people to engage with and enjoy poetry, helping them build confidence through creative expression.
Poem posters
Schools nationwide receive sets of poem posters to showcase around their school buildings.
Poem booklets and competition guide
Each year, schools receive a competition rulebook and a printed collection of poems to support classroom learning.
Impact poster
Each year the competition helps thousands of young people with oracy and public speaking.
Other givaways
A selection of branded givaway items for schools.
The shop
Although all materials are distributed to schools free of charge each year, selected items are also available for purchase through the official shop.
The trophy
An eye-catching and insta friendly design.
Exhibition Stand
Stand design for the IATEFL conference 2026
1,600+
schools registered to participate in 2024 via the website.
5 million
interactions on the website in 2024.
873
attended the Grand Finale at Shakespeare's Globe in London South Bank in 2025.