Words took centre stage at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School as pupils wowed family, friends and judges during the school’s annual Poetry Slam.
The much-anticipated event saw children from across the Chippenham school perform poems from memory, demonstrating not only their creativity but also the confidence and performance skills they have developed in the classroom.
Special guest judges from St Augustine’s School in Trowbridge had the difficult task of selecting this year’s winners from a series of impressive performances. After careful deliberation, Evie and Gloria were named the 2026 Poetry Slam champions, earning praise for their memorable recitals.
The annual event forms part of St Mary’s wider commitment to nurturing a love of reading, writing and language. Through its English curriculum, pupils are encouraged to write creatively for different audiences while developing the confidence to express their own ideas and opinions.
Headteacher Lucy Buckland said the Poetry Slam had become one of the highlights of the school year.
“Our Poetry Slam is always a wonderful opportunity for children to share their creativity and see the impact their words can have. Watching pupils perform poems in front of an audience was a real joy, and we were incredibly proud of the imagination and effort they showed.
“At St Mary’s, we want every child to develop a love of language and feel confident expressing themselves. Events like this give pupils the chance to celebrate creativity and discover the power of their own voices.”
Helen Taylor, Chief Executive of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, congratulated everyone who took part.
“Congratulations to all the pupils who took part in St Mary’s Poetry Slam. It is wonderful to see children sharing their creativity and enjoying the power of words, and we are proud of the opportunities staff provide to help pupils develop their confidence and communication skills.”
The event highlighted how poetry can inspire imagination while giving young people the confidence to perform in front of an audience—an achievement that will stand them in good stead long after the applause has faded.
