Poetry Prizes

Four aspiring poets have been commended in prestigious global competitions this term.

Talia in the Lower Sixth was one of 18 poets shortlisted in the Wells Festival of Literature’s international Young Poets competition, for her poem entitled The Arts and Crafts Box. This year’s competition was judged by Deanna Rodgers, who won the UK Poetry Slam at the age of 18; all shortlisted poets have been invited to a prize giving and poetry reading as part of the Festival later this month.

In the global Foyle Young Poet Award, the biggest poetry competition for 11-17 year olds in the world, more than 6,600 poets from 119 countries submitted entries this year. Three of our students were among the top 100 winners, selected from over 15,800 poems. Congratulations to Camille (also one of last year’s winners) and Sophia in Year 11 and Axelle in the Lower Sixth, whose works will be published in an online anthology in spring 2024. This year’s judges were the poets Jane Yeh and Jonathan Edwards. Jane was impressed by the: ‘Engaging, ardent lyricism of their unique voices… It was a privilege and a pleasure to read these entries, which make me feel excited and energised about the future of poetry. I look forward to reading many of these writers’ work in years to come.’