News8th October 2026

Ark Charter student named Young Poet Laureate for Portsmouth

Ark Charter Academy student Moyin Adeyeni has been named Young Poet Laureate for Portsmouth following a city-wide poetry competition.

Ark Charter Academy

The initiative, organised by Portsmouth Poetry in partnership with Portsmouth City Council’s Libraries and Archives Service, was open to young people aged 11 to 17 from across Portsmouth.  It forms part of the city’s centenary celebrations marking 100 years since Portsmouth was granted city status

At an awards ceremony held at The Lens Studio in Portsmouth Guildhall, judges praised the distinctive quality of Moyin’s writing. Reflecting on the submissions they reviewed, the panel described the collection of entries as a treasure trove of poetry, and compared reading Moyin’s work to “Finding a diamond amongst the treasure chest”.

During the event, Moyin performed the three original poems she had submitted as part of her application. Her powerful and thought-provoking performances explored themes including race, immigration and societal expectations, demonstrating both confidence and maturity in her writing.

One of the most moving moments of the evening came during Moyin’s acceptance speech, when she invited her family to join her on stage and thanked them for their support.

She also recognised the contribution of 432 Nomads, the Portsmouth-based poetry collective that has delivered after-school poetry workshops for Ark Charter Academy students in recent years.

Moyin said, “I was very shocked to find out that I won it as I wasn’t even initially going to apply. It is such a such a great opportunity and I’m so excited to see where it will take me.

“I’m very grateful to my family because they always push me to achieve my goals. My parents worked very hard to move us from Nigeria to the UK which I will always be grateful for. I explore what being an immigrant looks like through my writing and my poetry and I 100% believe that everyone is equal no matter where they came from. I am so ready to represent young people in Portsmouth through my writing.”

As Young Poet Laureate for 2026-27, Moyin will represent young writers across Portsmouth, taking part in civic events, meeting fellow poets, and encouraging more young people to engage with poetry and creative writing.

Ark Charter Academy Associate Assistant Principal Alice Fisher said, “Moyin is an exceptional young writer whose talent, insight and authenticity shine through in everything she creates. To be selected from a strong field of young poets from across Portsmouth is a remarkable achievement, and we are incredibly proud of her.

“Moyin is a wonderful ambassador for Ark Charter and her community, and we look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes during her year as Young Poet Laureate.”

Throughout her year in the role, Moyin will be mentored by local poet Majid Dhana of the 432 Nomads collective, supporting the development of her writing and performance skills and helping her take advantage of opportunities across the city.