Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize 2022

We are delighted to announce the winners of the annual GDST Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize.

The Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize is one of the GDST’s longest-running prizes, established in memory of Sir Laurie Magnus, by his widow. Laurie Magnus was a GDST Council member from 1907, and Chairman from 1929 until his death in 1933.

The competition encourages students with an active interest in poetry to put pen to paper. Each school and academy was invited to submit one entry for each of the six age categories. Prizes are awarded for original poetry and each winner is presented with a book voucher.

The poems were judged by Sydenham High School alumna and renowned poet Claudia Daventry:

‘Another year of inspiring poetry, there’s magnificent work in here – some astonishing writing – and again it was hard to pick winners in each age group. Hearty congratulations to all the winners for producing such a marvellous body of work but actually also to all the participants – and to the wider influence of their teachers and families – just for giving them roots and wings.’

GDST Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize Results

Years 1 & 2:

Winner: Anisha, Howell’s School, Llandaff – When I Opened the Door!

Joint Second: Marnie, Birkenhead High School Academy – I am an Alien

Jenesa, Wimbledon High School – Life with my Brothers

Years 3 & 4:

Winner: Georgia, Norwich High School for Girls – A Football’s Feelings

Joint Second: Ana, Sydenham High School – The Railroad to Warsaw

Elspeth, Wimbledon High School – Family Tongue Twister

Year 5 & 6:

Winner: Maggie, Sydenham High School – An ode to the Cowrie

Years 7, 8 & 9:

Winner: Asha, Sheffield High School – Window

Years 10 & 11

Winner:  Isabella, South Hampstead High School – A Ghazal for Trilogy

Years 12 & 13

Winner:  Maddie, Royal High School, Bath – Ode to Girlhood (& Paris)

Many congratulations to our winners and to all students who participated in the competition.