
Sally Carruthers
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Sally is Executive Director of Poetry School, responsible for direction in areas such as funding, partnerships, alumni and other areas of strategic growth and delivery. She studied English at the University of Oxford and embarked on a career in magazine and newspaper publishing, moving into philanthropy with charities ranging from educational projects such as the Story Museum, The Poetry Archive and University of Oxford to large scale national charities targeting deprivation with OnSide Youth Zones. Sally writes fiction and is working on her first novel. Contact Sally to discuss all varieties of funding opportunities and other strategic partnerships.

Sarala Estruch
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Sarala is our MA in Writing Poetry Manager. She manages the day-to-day running of our Writing Poetry MA programme (which we run in partnership with Newcastle University), as well as marketing and events for the programme. When she isn’t working for the School, Sarala is a freelance writer, poet, and critic. Her debut pamphlet, Say, was published by flipped eye in October 2021. She is also a member of the Ledbury Poetry Critics.
Andrew Parkes
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Andy is our Head of Programmes. He programmes all of our Face-to-Face and Online Courses. Andy has a BA in Media & Modern Literature and an MA in Modern Literary Theory, both from Goldsmiths, University of London. He is Director and Editor of the independent poetry press clinic, has written and produced several works for the theatre and is currently developing a PhD proposal on the writing of Mark Z. Danielewski, Deleuzian metaphysics and the philosophy of time.

Jasmine Ward
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Jasmine Ward is the Ginkgo Prize Manager, she’s in charge of submissions, partnerships and social media platforms. Jasmine previously managed the Betjeman Poetry Prize, a prize designed to spark creativity in early adolescents. She also has a history in PR and events. When she isn’t working on Ginkgo she is a freelance writer (specializing in satire), as well as a copywriter and artist.
Jon Sharples
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Jon is our Chief Operating Officer. He practises as qualified solicitor specialising in intellectual property and art law, and is on the board of Block 336 in Brixton.
Grace Cook
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Grace is our Finance Officer. She provides financial accounting and administrative support for the organisation, including the processing of tutor fees and invoicing, financial reporting, and management accounts. Grace began her arts career in children’s book publishing, managing contracts and author royalties; before moving on to running accounts departments for adult publishers, literary agents, and talent agencies.
For a finance person, who is also passionate about poetry, the best thing about joining the Poetry School, is working with smart, creative colleagues whose different areas of expertise continually bring a fresh perspective to each project.
Caleb Parkin – MA Personal Tutor and Poetry School Wellbeing Adviser
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Caleb Parkin, Bristol City Poet 2020 – 22, has published widely in journals including The Rialto, Poetry Review, Magma, Poetry Wales and Butcher’s Dog, and has won or been shortlisted in major competitions. He tutors for The Poetry Society, Poetry School, Cheltenham Festivals and First Story and holds an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP).
His debut collection exploring queer ecopoetry was developed with Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice support. His debut pamphlet, Wasted Rainbow, is forthcoming with tall-lighthouse in February 2021 and his debut collection, This Fruiting Body, with Nine Arches in October.

Maryam Hessavi – Resident Reviews Editor
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Maryam is our resident Reviews Editor. She commissions and edits poetry reviews for the School. Outside of this work, Maryam is a freelance writer, poet, critic, and Contributing Editor for Ambit. Her work has featured in various publications and was recently selected for Carcanet’s New Poetries VIII anthology. She is also a member of the Ledbury Poetry Critics.

Tessa Foley – Administration, Website & Programming Assistant
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Tessa is our Administration, Programming and Website Assistant, supporting course administration, projects and partnerships. Tessa is also a poet and has published two poetry collections Chalet Between Thick Ears and What Sort of Bird are You? with Live Canon. She has also been published in several poetry magazines and prize anthologies.
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