A YEAR seven student wins a national poetry award and meets famous author.

Cartmel Priory C of E, year seven pupil, Edwin H has been crowned winner for his poem at the National TES Poetry Competition 2021.

Edwin along with his fellow pupil, Matthew B were both shortlisted for the award last month were they put pen to paper and transformed their thoughts, experience and aspirations into a poem.

The aim was to encourage the development of dreams and aspirations amongst all children and people, especially those with SEND (Special educational needs and disability) which the boys did exceptionally well with Matthew also receiving ‘Highly Commended’ for his poem.

Headteacher, Mrs Sarah Beestone was delighted with the boys achievements and said: “As a school we are extremely proud of Edwin and Matthew and everything they have achieved.

“Its remarkable that two of our students were both placed in the top five in the country!”

The pair along with their Year seven literacy teacher and special educational needs coordinator (SENCO), Gemma Brown travelled down to London on the train on October 8 where they waited anxiously to find out the winner.

Gemma Brown said: “It was an amazing experience for the boys, to be finalists in a national award in the capital, it was great.

“They were over the moon, quite surprised and shocked but happy of course.”

Edwin and Matthew were both presented their awards by Cressida Cowell, the number one bestselling author-illustrator of the How to Train Your Dragon and the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2019-2022 who also has dyslexia.

Gemma said: “It was amazing for the boys to meet Cressida.

“She gave an inspirational speech about special needs and being tolerant and how to not get tied down with the mechanics of writing and instead just be creative and get your ideas down.”

The trip was funded by Friends of Cartmel Priory School (FCPS) who wanted to reward the boys for their amazing achievement.

Gemma said: “I just want to thank FCPS for supporting the trip and funding it, it was a really nice thing to do and was really special for the boys for all their hard work.”