Winners of the Laurie Magnus Poetry Prize

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 is open to students with an interest in poetry. Each school puts forward one entry for each of the six age categories. Prizes are awarded for original poetry and each winner presented with £100 in book vouchers.

poetry prize
Years 5 and 6 winner Beatrice Voisey

This year the poems were judged by Sydenham High School alumna and prize-winning poet and author Claudia Daventry.

“This has been a remarkable year for all of us, and one of the few good things that comes out of adversity is great creativity”, said Claudia. “While it was good to see the strong environmental and political messages coming through the poems, we’ve also had the pandemic to reckon with. Messages of equality, diversity and sustainability have come through loud and clear as well: we are living through extraordinary times. The poems reflected these changes, and more.” 

The winners are as follows…

  • Years 10 and 11 winner: Jess, Oxford High School – I Want To 

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