They're all poets and they know it!

TOP NOTE . . . the St. Matthew's School choir.

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YOUNG poets from a Chadderton primary school swept the board in a writing competition, claiming three quarters of the shortlisted places.

Pupils from St Matthew's Primary School took part in the competition, run by Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, The Jersey Academy of Music and Laura Rossi, which invited primary schools from across Manchester to submit poetry focused on a First World War theme.

The writers of the top three entries, which included St Matthew's' Katie Bowers and Scarlett Ford with "Just War" and Maddison Lees with "Remember Them" are set to hear their poem set to music composed by Laura Rossi and performed by Chetham's musicians.

St Matthew's head teacher Martin Moore said: "This is fantastic news for St Matthew's, particularly in the light of our recent Ofsted inspection which declared writing skills to be an area for improvement.

"We are immensely proud of the creativity with which our young writers have embraced this challenge and delighted with their success."

The rest of the poetry submitted for the competition will be published in a poetry book.

Chetham's School of Music's Vera van Duuren said: "We were delighted with all St Matthew's entries and really enjoyed reading them all, so interesting to see how different perspectives and wording create a whole different story!

"Those who weren't shortlisted certainly shouldn't feel discouraged. There were simply too many to choose from!"

Pupils from St Matthew's School Choir were also invited to sing at the Annual Diocesan Conference held recently at the Macron Stadium in Bolton.

Mr Moore added: "As a Church of England primary school St Matthew's has a strong partnership with the church and our talented singers were honoured to represent St Matthew's at the conference.

"Our children were beautifully presented and behaved impeccably.

"Many people commented on the brilliance of their performance."