If your students want a taste of poetry slam but not the white-knuckle experience of verbal sparring in public, take them to Word Cup, a showcase of performance poetry by and for 12 to 16-year-olds run by Apples and Snakes. The final weekend at Warwick Arts Centre on July 1 and 2 has the potential to be the Schools Prom of slam. Poet coaches are picking their teams in seven regions. There’s more mentoring and coaching for the teams at the Warwick weekend, plus two public events: the professionals performing on July 1 at 8pm, then the young poets’ slam final on July 2 at 3pm. Tickets pound;5 and Pounds 3.50 for each event on 02476 524524. More information at www.applesandsnakes.org.