We are delighted to announce that students from both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 have taken part in the prestigious “I Have a Dream” poetry competition run by Young Writers (for ages 11-18). Students captured their ideas through Japanese haiku, crafting powerful messages in just a few syllables. They also composed acrostic poems, using the letters of key words to frame their dreams and values. Some students focused on the Free Verse form which focuses on freedom in poetic structure.

This competition invited young poets to reflect on their hopes, dreams and visions for the future (even their dream food and dreams of WW2 soldiers!). With powerful prompts and the chance to publish their work, it gave our young writers a wonderful opportunity to express themselves in a meaningful way.

What our students did

• Pupils from KS3 and KS4 responded to the competition theme with creativity, courage and thoughtfulness.
• They crafted poems exploring their own aspirations and the world they hope to shape.
• By submitting their work, they embraced the role of young authors and joined a wider national writing community.

Why this matters

Writing poetry helps students develop more than just creative skills. It builds:

• Confidence in their voice and ideas
• The ability to reflect on their experiences and the wider world
• Literacy skills: precision of language, imagery, and form
• A sense of belonging to a larger conversation about future and change

The “I Have a Dream” competition by Young Writers encourages every entry to be read by editors and offers the chance for publication — a fantastic milestone for any young writer.

Our congratulations
We want to congratulate all the students who submitted poems. Whether your work is selected for publication or not, your decision to write and share your voice is a tremendous achievement.

What next?
We will let you know once the results are announced and whether our school has entries published in the competition anthology. In the meantime:

• Keep writing!
• Look out for future competitions and writing challenges.

Once again – well done to everyone who took part! Your dreams, your words, your vision matter.

Leonie, KS4

I Have a Dream!

Dreams can come true

Resilience and independence help you achieve your dreams and goals

Even the dreams you think are unrealistic are possible

A dream is where you want to see yourself

My dream to work in law and create a nice future will come true with determination and independence

 

Bella, KS4

Dream for your future!

Dream for our future

Resilience in not giving up

Embrace yourself

And believe in yourself

Make a life you’re proud of

 

Billy, KS4

Dream

Don’t let bad things that happen ruin your dream

Reading books will help you accomplish your dreams

Education will guide you

Accomplish your dreams

Manifest your dreams now

 

Forgotten Dreams

Eunice Ks4

Blood like metal building in my throat.

Panting, shaking and struggling to breathe.

Gunshots, chaos everywhere

I could barely see in the mist of night

But I could hear the pain in their screams

Dirty trenches, anxiety and fear waving over people,

Worst dreams have come true for those who thought she was on her knees

Hundreds of thousands of young men

Losing their youth to protect

Her freedom from the enemy, causing anxiety and fear

Flashbacks from family at home,

Children that they might not see again.

Trench foot, green gas, bombs, you don’t know how that feels.

 

Harvey, KS4

Growing Up

Do you ever

Realise that

Eighty percent of people

Always

Mature

 

Patrick I, KS4

Dream of a Soldier

B reath heavy as I wave goodbye to my loved ones,

E ach second goes by my heart races on my way to the

T renches, full of suffering and screams of wounded soldiers.

R ats are everywhere we have infested their home

A place I long to be, dreaming of being free.

Young, innocent, inexperienced men shipped to war to fight for this country.

Anxiously sat in the trenches waiting patiently for the Germans to attack.

Leaving the trenches after winning the war, is it a win at all?

 

BLOSSOMING

Callie, KS4

Being at school

Lonely people

On their own

Shouting voices all around

Sent away to a better place

On my own, but not for long

My new school

Is a life saver

Now I’m seen

Gotta keep going and see where life takes me

 

Lily, KS4

Satay Dreams

Chicken satay is amazing

Hot, spicy and tantalising

I love to eat it at any time of day

Chicken satay is amazing

Kosha chicken is the best

Even in the morning

No one can tell me I can’t have two

Smells that come from it are beautiful

A piece of art

That’s what I call it

Another day another satay

You should try it

 

Rosie, KS3

Around the World

When I am older

I dream of flying places

All around the world.

 

Sean, KS3

Jamaican Sun

In Jamaican sun

The motorbikes will run wild

And I will have fun!

 

Riley, KS3

My Dream

My dream of England

I want to be a rapper

Or a footballer!

 

Demarion, KS3

I.O.P – Inspire Other People

When I am older

I want to rap and sing songs

As inspiration for all.

 

Alexander, KS3

Do Good

Do good in life

Run to good things and be

Easy on people

And be humble. Let

Me Be me.