09/10/2026
Poet and slam champion winner Ash Dickinson has visited Dunottar School to run a creative writing poetry workshop for Year 9.
The workshop brought the year group’s study of war and conflict poetry to life, offering pupils a unique opportunity to learn directly an acclaimed poet. Having previously studied his powerful poem Call It Duty, students were captivated as Ash discussed the inspiration behind the piece and delivered a live reading of his work.
Through a series of engaging, hands-on activities, Ash challenged students to experiment with rhyme, structure and different poetic forms, encouraging creativity and confidence in their own writing. The session concluded with a lively Q&A, where pupils quizzed him about his career, creative process and the realities of life as a professional poet. The experience was both inspiring and memorable, deepening pupils’ appreciation of poetry and the craft of writing.
Year 9 student Lara said: “I thought his workshop was inspiring because of the way he talked about AI and how it cannot replace a human brain.”
“I thought his workshop was interesting,” added Albi, “because we got to learn about how a full-time poet writes poems (the structure, different meanings, etc).”
Ash Dickinson has worked full-time as a poet since 2008. A multiple slam champion, he has performed internationally and across the UK, as well as leading writing workshops in schools, libraries, museums and prisons. He has published four collections, including Slinky Espadrilles and Instructions For Outlaws (2022). Known for his distinctive performance style, Ash combines humour and surreal imagery to explore and reflect the world around us.
