Year 7 gathered in the Old Gym this morning for the Poetry by Heart 2026 School Final. The annual event sees representatives from each form group compete against each other, performing poems which they have memorised. The selection of pieces was eclectic and varied, and the 15 participants gave it their all, with some incredibly confident and dramatic renditions. Texts ranged from Shakespeare to Invictus to Jabberwocky, I Wandered Lonely, El Dorado, and many more. All the texts are chosen from a long list of options supplied by Poetry By Heart.

The judging panel comprised Mrs Roberts, Mrs Jones and Miss Bond, and the event was compered by Mr Kendry. It was a very difficult decision for the judges, as the standard was so high, and in a dramatic twist after all 15 had performed, the panel conferred and announced a shortlist of six pupils to perform again: Will P, Will G, Rhys W, Yunus P, Sam O, and Ollie S.

In the end the judges chose the three winners, who are in no particular order:

• Rhys W in 7R
• Will P in 7C
• Yunus P in 7T

Their performances will now be submitted to Poetry By Heart, and they will be in with a chance of making it through to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London for the English finals in July.

Huge congratulations go to the three winners and to all 15 speakers, who did an excellent job.

More about Poetry By Heart: https://poetrybyheart.org.uk.