On Friday, 22 November 2024, pupils from across the Frank Field Education Trust (FFET) gathered at Staffordshire University for the first-ever Trust-wide Poetry Festival – a celebration of creativity and values.

This year’s festival featured an impressive collection of poems, all reflecting the FFET Core Values: Humility, Compassion, Honesty, Integrity, Gratitude, Courage, Respect, and Justice.

The event brought together talented young poets from Birches Head Academy, Ellesmere Port C of E College, and Handforth Grange Primary School, showcasing their ability to engage with these values. Pupils performed their own Poetry and were featured in the 2024 Poetry Anthology.

Ms Dixon, Director of Education at FFET, praised all of the young poets, saying, “The creativity displayed by our pupils is truly inspiring. Their poems reflect not only their talent but also their understanding of what it means to live by our core values.”

In addition to enjoying the festival’s inspiring performances, pupils had the chance to engage with Staffordshire University Student Ambassadors and representatives from Higher Horizons through informative Q&A sessions. They also toured the university campus, igniting aspirations for pursuing higher education.

Following an afternoon filled with powerful poetry presentations, the winners of the 2024 Poetry Festival were proudly announced:

  • 1st Place: Teniola, The Ellesmere Port C of E College

  • 2nd Place: Danielle, Birches Head Academy

  • 3rd Place: Josh, Handforth Grange Primary School

  • People’s Choice Award: Maisie, Handforth Grange Primary School

 A huge congratulations to all our talented poets and thank you to everyone who participated and supported this inspiring event.