Matt Goodfellow was born in Manchester, and grew up in Stockport.  Matt was a primary teacher in schools in Manchester for over 10 years. Since then, he has done workshops in both primary and secondary schools, as well as delivering keynote talks and training to teachers in the UK and beyond.

Now a full-time poet, Matt visits schools inspiring children and adults to get involved with poetry through his performances and workshops and working with organisations including National Poetry Day, the Forward Arts Foundation, The Premier League, the National Literacy Trust, Book Trust and CLPE. 

Matt has several books of poetry including Bright Bursts of Colour and Let’s Chase Stars Together.  His picture book Shu Lin’s Grandpa, illustrated by Yu Rong, was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway medal in 2022, and his poetry collection Bright Bursts of Colour won the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award. His collections have been shortlisted four times in the CLPE poetry award, the CLiPPA, including most recently Let’s Chase Stars Together, a collection for Key Stage 2 readers, in 2023. His debut novel, told in verse, The Final Year, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton is written for middle-grade readers and was published by Otter-Barry Books in Sept 2023. It has sold over 50k copies to date and awards include shortlist for the CLippa Award and the Branford Boase Award.