Poetry Recital Competition

To recite or not to recite?

November 2023 saw our brand new Performance Poetry Recital Competition take place for the first time.

Each participating child prepared to recite a poem written by a published author or by themselves. In the first round of the competition they recited their chosen poem to their own class, who voted on the best performers to go through to the next stage. The semi-finals followed, and participants performed in a whole-school assembly, where teachers and staff chose the finalists to go through to the finals.

Pupils for Kilburn Grange School, Deer Park School, Watling Park School, Rivermead Primary School and Evendons Primary School (remotely) took part in the finals reciting in front of other finalists, the judge Stephanie Hilder – BPET Specialist English Adviser – and the teachers who escorted them to the venue.

The judge was keen to explain to the finalists the importance of participating in the whole process and learning at every stage, and not to put too much focus on the final recognition of the awards. In consultation with all other teachers and adults in the room, Ms Hilder bestowed feedback, certificates and awards, and named Rivermead Primary School as the overall winner of the competition.

She said: “I was blown away by the standard of the competition finalists. The commitment, passion and verve shown by every single pupil made me want to shout from the rooftops and dance through the trees! Huge congratulations to the eventual winners, and to every child who performed for us and shared their love of a poem, you made my heart sing. Definitely a day to remember.”

Videos from the winning performers will be entered to the Poetry by Heart competition, with the change to perform at the Globe theatre.

Many thanks to Victoria Coward, Deer Park School Deputy Headteacher who organised the competition.