Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate 2025/26
We are excited to announce that the eleventh Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate 2025/26 is Naomi Mba from Avon Valley School, Rugby.
On Saturday 29 November 2025 at Rugby Library, six talented and wonderful shortlisted candidates joined us for a day of poetry.
Candidates took part in a 90 minute workshop with Coventry Poet Laureate 2021/23, Emilie Lauren Jones, who shared creative tips and advice about how to successfully deliver poetry performances.
The candidates then each took part in interviews in front of a judging panel, which consisted of answering a series of questions, including sharing their ideas about the Young Poet Laureate role. Afterwards they performed two of their poems to and audience at a public event in the library. The day culminated in the judges selecting Naomi as Young Poet Laureate 2025/26.
We are looking forward to working with Naomi during her laureateship. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated with the journey!
Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate 2026/27
Applications for our twelfth Young Poet Laureate will open in January 2026. Check back here where we will give you more details and links to the application form.
To apply, candidates will need to:
- Be 13-17 years old
- Live and be educated in Warwickshire
- Fill in our application form
- Submit three poems. One should be inspired by Warwickshire; one should be about or inspired by libraries and the third can be of your own choosing.
- Submit a personal statement and explain in 250 words:
- Why you want to be Warwickshire Libraries’ Young Poet Laureate
- How you would promote poetry to the diverse range of people
If you have any questions about our Young Poet Laureate scheme, please email libraryevents@warwickshire.gov.uk