Schools' BSL
Poet Laureate
Toolkit
Inspire young Deaf voices through poetry in British Sign Language
– a free national resource for schools to celebrate creativity, culture, and expression
About
The Schools' BSL Poet Laureate Toolkit is a free resource to help schools run their own British Sign Language (BSL) poetry competitions. It celebrates BSL as a powerful form of artistic and cultural expression, encouraging young people to connect with their identity and build pride through poetry.
Inspired by the success of the adult BSL Poet Laureate initiative launched in 2023, this version was created for schools with support from Catherine Drew, Deputy Headteacher at Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children. It supports the BSL curriculum and empowers students to engage with BSL poetry.
What's in the Toolkit?
Lesson Plan
Created by Catherine Drew, this lesson plan supports the BSL curriculum and helps pupils explore BSL poetry in fun and meaningful ways.
Printable Certificates
Celebrate your pupils with printable certificates for 1st–3rd place, plus participation for everyone who takes part.
Judging Scorecards
Use our scorecards and judging rubric to fairly assess creativity, expression and BSL use in your school’s competition.
BSL Poetry Videos
Watch performances from past winners and BSL poets to inspire your pupils.
Celebrate Your Young BSL Poets
Use the form to upload photos and videos from your school’s BSL Poet Laureate competition. Your submissions will become part of a growing showcase of creativity, highlighting the incredible work of young Deaf poets across the UK. Let’s celebrate BSL, poetry, and community together.
If you’re also sharing your photos and videos on social media, don’t forget to include #SchoolsBSLPoetLaureate so others can find and celebrate your students’ creativity too.
Featured Videos
Kabir Kapoor
In this video, Kabir Kapoor - winner of the very first BSL Poet Laureate title in 2023 - takes us on a powerful journey through his poetry and performances. You’ll see Kabir perform his winning poem with the energy and passion that earned him national recognition, alongside a special appearance at the British Deaf Association’s AGM. The video also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the filming process, including an insightful conversation with acclaimed Deaf actress Jean St Clair.
Ismael Mansoor
Ismael Mansoor was crowned BSL Poet Laureate in 2024. Featuring his winning poem performed with expressive clarity, the video also includes a special behind-the-scenes feature with actress Jean St Clair and a remarkable live performance at Glastonbury 2024 on the Poetry and Words Stage. Ismael’s passion for BSL poetry and his ability to connect with audiences shine throughout, making this video a celebration of Deaf talent, language, and the power of performance.
Dorothy Miles
Dorothy Miles (1931–1993) was a pioneering Deaf poet and activist whose work laid the foundation for BSL poetry as an art form. She was known for her powerful use of British Sign Language to express Deaf culture, identity, and experience. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of Deaf artists and remains central to the BSL poetry movement today.