Then and Now poetry book cover

'Then and Now' - an inside view of Year 7 pupils starting secondary school

Working with writer, Cheryl Moskowitz, Year 7 pupils from Islington Green School have produced a moving, funny and creative book of poetry to express their feelings on the daunting move from primary to secondary school.

All eight Year 7 classes contributed to the booklet entitled ‘Then and Now’, which contains over 40 pages of poems focusing on how the children felt at primary school compared with their first year at secondary school. Other poems reflect the children’s experience of their new school:

‘Today I walked down the stairs

and I missed the mass of

orange and red leaves

under my feet.

The crush

Had turned to a slush and I knew

Things were changing’

Margy Knutson, Director of the New River Partnership at Islington Green said: ‘The move from primary to secondary school can be a daunting and overwhelming time for children. Everything changes: the building, your friends, your teachers, your schedule and your homework. The writing from ‘Then and Now’ provides a window into the world of being in Year 7. The children should be extremely proud of the work they have produced and I hope that other schools across the borough will find the booklet a useful tool.’

Copies of the booklet have been given to every primary and secondary school in Islington.

For further information please contact:

Caroline Rowe, CEA@Islington

T: 020 7527 5545

E: caroline.rowe.cea@islington.gov.uk

Notes

A copy of ‘Then and Now’ is available on request.

For more information, please contact CEA@Islington's Communications Department:

Louise Trewavas
T: 020 7527 5826
E: louise.trewavas.cea@islington.gov.uk
Caroline Rowe
T: 020 7527 5545
E: caroline.rowe.cea@islington.gov.uk

Search