National Poetry Day

Students of all years have been celebrating National Poetry Day with an array of illustrations, poems and discussions focused on the theme of ‘Freedom’.

English teacher Mrs Simpson explains: “Each year group was invited to study the poem ‘Invictus‘ by W.E Henley – which was an inspiration to Nelson Mandela whilst imprisoned on Robben Island. This was particularly powerful for those who had attended the South Africa sports trip last year as they had actually visited Mandela’s prison cell and spoken to one of his former cell mates.

We asked them to use this poem as inspiration and gave them the freedom to use their creative skills to express their own ideas about what freedom meant to them: through illustration, poetic verse or by writing a piece of prose – and I was delighted with the amount of high standard work which was produced by our English classes.”

She adds: “I think it is really important to take part in a national campaign such as this as it gives the students chance to really think about the intentions and power of poetry in a more relaxed environment. And hopefully it may even inspire some to put pen to paper in their own time.”

Special mentions go to the KS3 and KS4 winners – Lara Turner and Alfie Hewitt –  who created the best work from their age groups respectively. Examples of some of the best work from all the year groups is now on display in the English corridor.