The 2024 CLiPPA was awarded to poet Matt Goodfellow for his verse novel The Final Year, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (Otter-Barry Books) this afternoon at a ceremony at the National Theatre on London’s Southbank. The ceremony was presented by ALCS CEO Barbara Hayes.

Matt receives a trophy and a cheque for £1000. As part of the prize he will also be recorded for the prestigious National Poetry Archive.

The Final Year details Nate’s time in Year six, an important time for any child, but particularly tough for Nate especially when his little brother falls ill. Helped by his teacher Mr Joshua, and with the love of his family, chaotic though that is, Nate survives and thrives.

Poet Liz Berry, chair of this year’s judges, said “The Final Year was our unanimous winner. A powerful, sensitive, verse-novel which perfectly captures the voices, energy, and complex feelings of the Year Six classroom. We admired its empathy, depth, deft storytelling and beautiful use of the vernacular. We were all gripped by Nate’s journey and know young readers will be too. For The Final Year is not only a great read, it’s also an invitation into poetry and the power that writing and reading can hold for those just starting to find their voices.”

Children in schools across the UK explored the shortlisted collections through the CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme, which each year prompts poetry performances in hundreds of classrooms. Children from Birmingham, Brent, Wandsworth, Birkenhead and Caterham, winners in the CLiPPA Shadowing Scheme, also performed live at the ceremony on the Olivier Theatre stage alongside the poets.

You can read more about the CLiPPA award here.