After a whole school assembly where performance poet Paul Cookson entertained the audience with his fabulous poems, quick wit and ability to seemingly conjure rhymes out of thin air, the House Poetry Golden Ticket winners were treated to small group poetry workshops.

A combination of performances of his own work, explanations about rhythm, rhyme and alliteration, and a chance for the children to take part in 'interactive' poems, provoked creativity and thought; and, most importantly, showed the children just how much fun words and language can be.

The Poetry Café made a welcome return this week with the Golden Ticket winners taking their turn on the stage and performing their chosen poems. As an extra incentive, hot chocolate (with squirty cream and marshmallows) was served to all the participants and an appreciative audience. It wasn't only the pupils who got the chance to shine; teachers too recited poetry ranging in subject from World War I to Chocolate Cake.