A TALENTED student from south Cumbria was named as a finalist in a national poetry competition focusing on special needs. 

12-year-old Florence B, a year 8 student at Cartmel Priory CoE School, won third place in the secondary school category at the TES SEND Show Poetry Competition with her poem You are Special.

The theme for the 2023 competition was Inspiring Minds: The Difference You Make to Me, where students were invited to create a poem reflecting on something that they feel has been integral to helping them get to where they are today.

This could be anything that has had a positive impact on the pupils' lives, from support networks, pets, hobbies and clubs.

The prize-given presentation took place on October 13 in London with pupils and schools around the country from Birmingham to Brighton.

Gemma Brown, sssistant head at Cartmel Priory CoE School, said: "I am really proud that she made a difference.

"The poem was all written by herself. All she had was the theme, and then we watched some videos to give her some inspiration, so she made her own poem in school.

"The poem was from the heart, and it was really about how you can make a difference to anyone if you just open your eyes and recognise that differences make everyone special."

Miss Brown said the 12-year-old was 'over the moon' with her win.

"She enjoyed the experience and meeting Michael Rosen, who was absolutely incredible," said Miss Brown

"She was pleased that we made it really special - the school funded the whole trip, and it was like a treat.

"She was proud that she could make a difference, and she really felt she was doing that."

A spokesperson for TES SEND Show Poetry Competition said on their social media: "We are so delighted to see the Poetry Competition going from strength to strength, and we received an incredible number of entries this year across all six categories.

"We would like to thank everyone who took the time to put pen to paper and send congratulations to all of the winners and runners up."