Last term a clutch of eager pupils from Years 7-10 competed in our Wilson’s School Heat of Poetry By Heart. Watched by an appreciative audience in the John Jenkins Hall, the competitors recited poems spanning English Literature from medieval times until 2019!

Vivaan in Year 10 gave a stand-out performance of “Names (i)” by Mary Jean Chan, a moving modern poem about a same-sex relationship; Zach (Year 10) gave a powerful and energetic reading of an extract from Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf. Gautham in Year 9 captivated everyone with his lively reading of “Hyena” by Edwin Morgan, conveying the menace and ambiguity of the hyena’s gaze. Kaan (Year 7) and Adhvaidh (Year 10) both gave powerful performances of “Envy” by Adelaide Ann Proctor.

Mrs Fletcher and Mr Lissimore were on hand to judge to students across four categories: Accuracy, Voice, Understanding and Presentation. Three students from each Key Stage were selected to progress to the National Championship, and three were selected to progress to the Freestyle Competition. Our National Championships entrants for Key Stage Four are Arya, Zach and Vivaan (all Year 10) and for Key Stage Three Vignesh, Gautham and Shayan (all Year 9). Our Freestyle entrants for Key Stage Four are Pratyush, Advaidh and Ethan (all Year 10) and for Key Stage Three Kaan and Liang (both Year 7). The National Championship involves students learning a further poem from a contrasting time period, and for both competitions students must make a recording of their recital. Perhaps a student from Wilson’s will make it through to the National Finals at the Globe Theatre in June!