On Thursday 5th December, our Senior School held the renowned Poetry By Heart final – a national poetry speaking competition aimed to inspire and encourage pupils to embrace and embody poetry, while providing an opportunity to practise public speaking and theatrical skills in front of an audience.
Judged by Deputy Head (Academic) David Ashton, Deputy Head (Co-Curricular) Catherine Cranmer, Library Graduate Scholar Tessa Hawes, and Year 13 English Ambassador Thea W, our panel scored our finalists based on their power of voice, understanding and theatrical performance.
Our five finalists, who earned their place in the final after competing in multiple preliminary rounds against a wider group of pupils in Year 10 and 11, showcased their incredible talents by memorising and passionately performing pieces of contemporary and classic poetry to the school community.
From 1790 works by William Blake, to 21st Century sonnets by Benjamin Zephaniah, the final saw each pupil recite two poems, one published before 1914 and the other published after 1914.
Our finalist and winners:
Year 10
Lottie B; performing ‘Composed upon Westminster Bridge’ by William Wordsworth, and ‘Lullaby’ by Fatimah Ashar.
Skyla J; performing ‘Envy’ by Adelaide Anne Procter, and ‘Lullaby’ by Fatimah Asghar.
Will L; performing ‘The Man He Killed’ by Thomas Hardy, and ‘No Problem’ by Benjamin Zephaniah.
Felix Norris performing ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake, and ‘Remains’ by Simon Armitage.
Year 11
Harriet B; performing ‘London’ by William Blake, and ‘Remains’ by Simon Armitage.
This year’s competition saw the highest scores achieved in the second half with the poems after 1914, with the average overall score at its highest for many years, however there could only be one winner. Our runner up was awarded to Year 11 Harriet B, with Year 10 Felix N being crowned our Poetry by Heart Champion. Felix will progress to the Regional rounds – we wish you the very best of luck, congratulations and a very well done to all our finalists.
