Rob Bradley - AIM High Writing
Rob
Bradley
AIM High Writing
Summary
Age range KS2 to KS4
Books Yes
DBS Checked Yes
Booking
+44 (0)1535 656015
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Rob Bradley is a rapper, poet and songwriter.
About Rob
Rob Bradley is a world champion rapper, poet, and songwriter from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Known for his improvised freestyle raps, insightful verses, and narrative songs, Rob has captivated audiences globally, from clubs in New York to festivals across Europe. As a lifelong writer, he began writing poetry at age 8 and started creating rap music at 13 so he deeply understands the value of early exposure to creative experiences.
Rob believes that everyone has a story but not always a way to tell it, which inspired him to deliver workshops aimed at helping young people express themselves and discover a love of language. He has worked with thousands of students across hundreds of schools and educational settings around the world.
In addition to his workshop work, Rob has delivered TED talks, published poetry, and continually releases music under the pseudonym Jack Flash. His passion for rap and spoken word performance is evident in everything he does, and he is dedicated to inspiring any group he works with.
Rob’s AIM High Writing Days
A day with Rob starts with a welcoming introduction and a run down of the day’s activities. Here, Rob tells his own story of how his journey into writing began and how it has taken him around the world. He talks about his love of language and his appreciation of how words work. It is an inspiring start designed to enthuse the students and prepare them for a day full of writing and rapping.
Many of the students may not know each other and may not feel comfortable so Rob uses a series of warm-ups designed to make the students relax and feel a sense of contribution. This will be their first chance to get involved by using their minds, body and voices. A particular favourite warm up is ’The Human Beatbox’ in which the group create a collective rhythm by imitating the different sounds in a drum kit. This also serves as an introduction to Rhythm, a key component in the session.
Rob demonstrates why he is a freestyle rap world champion and an expert improviser by performing an off-the-cuff freestyle rap by using random words given to him by the students.
Through a series of games and discussions the group then explore another key component, Rhyme. Here, students will learn how to bend and shape rhyming words, how to use multisyllabic rhyme and why more things rhyme together than you may think.
In a guided exercise, the group chose and discuss a topic (this may be a theme that your school want to explore), and then they write their first group rap. This will introduce students to creative writing techniques and practises which will prove valuable for later in the session. When the rap has been written, everyone will have a chance to perform the piece to a rap backing track.
Improving language is next on the agenda, and after a refresher about poetic techniques and language intensifiers the students will have the opportunity to try and improve a pre-written piece. ‘And then’, ‘really’ and ‘good’ are banned here, students are challenged to use descriptive, evocative and rhythmic language.
Students will have a chance to learn how to freestyle and can take advantage of some of Rob’s tips to improvise lyrics. This will lead them to think quickly and appreciate how crucial focus is in performance. Students will receive performance pointers and gain insight into how to be a more confident and authentic performer.
To culminate, students will take everything they have learned, observed and practiced throughout the day and write their own individual lyrics. They will then perform them to each other over a range of different backing tracks.
By the end of the day students will have explored creative and alternative ways to use rhyme, rhythm, syllables, and a range of language and poetic techniques. They will have written collaboratively as a group as well as individually. They will have performed as a group as well as individually to an audience. They will have learned important cultural and genre specific conventions and gained a knowledge and appreciation for a new skill.
It’s an incredibly engaging, fun, informative and inspiring day.
Rob works with KS2, KS3 and KS4. Content is suitably adapted at each stage.
Curriculum Focus
Primary -
Spoken Language: Develops confidence in speaking, listening, and improvising through freestyle games, rap performance, and group sharing.
Vocabulary Development: Expands vocabulary and encourages precise word choice via word games, freestyle challenges, and writing tasks.
Understanding of Poetry: Explores rhyme, rhythm, and structure in poetic form through writing group poems and comparing poetry to rap.
Composition: Enhances skills in planning, drafting, and editing creative work during individual writing and polishing sessions.
Performance: Builds oral performance skills by encouraging pupils to share their poems or raps in front of an audience.
Appreciation of Language: Encourages enjoyment of language and creativity, linking literary appreciation with expressive arts like rap.
Secondary -
Critical Thinking & Analysis: Promotes analytical discussion around the relationship between poetry and rap, linking contemporary and classical forms.
Creative Writing: Encourages students to write for a real audience and purpose, using poetic techniques such as imagery, rhythm, and structure.
Spoken English & Oracy: Develops spoken fluency, improvisation, and confidence in public speaking through freestyle games and performance.
Understanding Literary Tradition: Frames rap as a continuation of poetic tradition, helping students contextualise modern writing.
Expressing Viewpoints: Supports personal expression and identity through writing that reflects students’ own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Planning, Editing & Reflecting: Models the full writing process — idea generation, collaborative drafting, individual creation, editing, and sharing.
Cross-Curricular Links
English & Literacy: Central to all sessions — students develop skills in writing, performance, vocabulary, structure, and audience awareness.
Drama & Performing Arts: Freestyle games, live performance, and delivery of written work all draw on drama skills such as expression, confidence, and audience engagement.
Music: Rap is a musical form — students develop rhythm, timing, and flow, which links with music objectives around performance, beat, and musical awareness.
PSHE / Citizenship: Individual writing tasks often encourage personal reflection and expression, allowing students to explore emotions, identity, social themes, and community.
History / Social Studies: If desired, the writing task can be themed around historical events or figures, or cultural identity — supporting exploration of the past and its connection to present experiences.
ICT: Students could record or type their pieces, explore beat production or use apps for rhyme assistance, supporting digital literacy. (settings will need to have equipment to facilitate this).
Rob’s Workshops for Reluctant Writers
Overview: These sessions are designed to re-engage learners who may feel disconnected from traditional writing tasks. Rap is ideal for reluctant writers — it uses rhythm, rhyme, and performance to deliver literacy “under the radar,” allowing students to build skills without the usual pressure.
Curriculum Links:
· Spoken language and performance
· Creative writing (rhyme, rhythm, vocabulary)
· Audience awareness and expression
Approach: Sessions are fast-paced, interactive, and inclusive. Freestyle games and creative writing tasks help learners gain confidence, take ownership of language, and enjoy the process of creating something that feels relevant to them.
Bookings
To book Rob Bradley please contact
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Rob also offers visits to schools and other settings, click here for more information.