Welwyn Garden City pupils’ poems to be published after competition success

A Welwyn Garden City school is set to have 22 of its pupils’ poems published after impressing judges in a nationwide competition.

Springmead Primary School’s youngsters were among 35,000 entrants to the Young Writers Association’s competition – which involves the best poems being officially published in a book.

Once Upon A Dream – the book being published for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire – will be officially released on November 30.

Alison Hill, whose eight-year-old daughter was one of those to get her entry published, said: “We are very proud. We were all really excited, jumping around and hugging when we received the letter, and we told the grandparents straight away.

“For a child of age eight to have a poem published in a book is quite an achievement.”

She added that having so many children producing such quality demonstrated the good work Springmead is doing.

Acting headteachers Julie Petitt and Richard Boulton said: “To have your work published is a huge achievement and we are very proud of our Springmead Young Writers.

“Our vision is to build strong literacy skills that will allow the children to be great communicators as they continue their journey to adulthood.

“This goes some way to meeting that brief. A huge well done to all of the pupils involved.”