Performance poet Dreadlock Alien, also known as Richard Grant, entertained and inspired our students with his unique beatboxing, rhyming, high-energy performances, during his most recent visit.

He has been touring schools performing his poetry for over twenty years and this was his sixth visit to Brooke Weston Academy. He kicked off his sessions by crafting and performing an improvised rap using students’ names from a register, instantly engaging his audience.

His visit included whole year group presentations for Year 9 and Year 10 students, aimed at preparing them for the poetry component of their English exams. Additionally, he conducted inspiring poetry workshops for selected KS3 and KS4 students, focusing on this year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme of ‘Respect.’

Emma Baxter, HLTA Inclusion, said, ‘The Success Centre enjoyed our return visit from Dreadlock Alien. The poetry workshops allowed them the opportunity to be creative, writing poetry about their hobbies and interests and they were happy to recite and share these in the group.’

Literacy Coordinator Lauren Fitzjohn said, ‘BWA welcomed back one of our absolute favourite performance poets, Mr Dreadlock Alien, and we had a fabulous day full of rhythm, poetry insights and 100% student engagement!

‘Mr Grant inspires so many students each year to turn to poetry as a means of expression and build their confidence through words. Students from year 7-10 had sessions and performed group tasks with him, including poetry analysis, creating poetry and some performances of their own.

‘His enthusiasm is contagious, and every student had the chance to really see the power words hold.’