A crisp and bright March afternoon - fittingly World Book Day - provided the perfect backdrop as competitors for the 2026 Poetry by Heart competition took to the stage. Twelve Year 7 students, representing the four school houses, waited with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation for their turn to recite their chosen poem entirely from memory. With only a single point separating first and second place, the calibre of the performances proved to be exceptionally high.
Each competitor had clearly spent considerable time preparing, and it showed in the clarity, expression and care with which they delivered their pieces. The competition celebrated not only memorisation but also interpretation. Students brought their poems to life through thoughtful pacing, well-judged emphasis and expressive delivery. Sienna W’s performance of Remember was quiet and reflective, drawing the audience in with subtlety, while other pieces were lively and theatrical. Recitations of Little Red Riding Hood by Roald Dahl, performed by Maisie F, Tilly M and Holly A, delighted the audience with their humour and energy, while Austin L and Alexia G gave dramatic renditions of Macavity by T. S. Eliot, making full use of gesture and vocal range.
Representing their houses with pride, the twelve competitors demonstrated impressive courage in standing up to perform independently before their peers and a distinguished panel of judges: Mrs Marland, Mr Hayden, Mrs Lucking and author-illustrator Genevieve Aspinall. Learning and reciting poetry by heart is no small task, yet each student rose to the challenge admirably, showing maturity and enthusiasm beyond their years.
Perhaps most striking was the sense of enjoyment shared by both performers and audience. Applause followed every recital, and the supportive atmosphere reflected the collaborative spirit of the event. The competition served as a reminder that poetry, when spoken aloud, has a unique power to connect, entertain, and inspire.
Overall, the Poetry by Heart competition was a thoroughly uplifting occasion. It showcased the talent, dedication, and confidence of Year 7 while celebrating the enduring power of poetry in performance
The outcome this year was as follows:
Individual
Rebecca B (Samlesbury) 1st
Maisie F (Gawthorpe) 2nd
Holly Ainslie (Leighton) 3rd
House (by average score /47)
Samlesbury 35.7 (1st)
Leighton 33 (2nd)
Gawthorpe 32.7 (3rd)
Rufford 24 (4th)
Written by Mrs Mayhew