Congratulations to Umme, Key Stage 2 winner for Speak Up North 2024
Umme takes the Key Stage 2 Prize on behalf of Peel Park Primary, Bradford, with her poem entitled 'The Spring.' We hear about how she felt when she found out she had won the competition, and what inspired her writing. You can also watch and hear her read the award-winning poem aloud.
Behind the scenes
When we caught up with Umme, she was delighted to hear that she'd won our Speak Up North creative writing competition for her school. Having never previously taken part in a competition like this, Umme was nervous but delighted at the news that she'd won. We know from her brilliant work that there's so much more to come in the future.
Her tutor Jo Neumegen, told us "she was bursting with pride" and "delighted to read her pupils' entries". She is especially proud of Umme, whose poem had helped to put a spotlight on Bradford. Running the competition with pupils in her tuition sessions, Jo also told us of Speak Up North:
It was a really easy process and inspired lots of creative thinking."Jo Neumegen, Full Time Tutor - West Yorkshire
The Spring
The Spring
Now that winter's gone the Earth hath lost,
Her snow-white robes and no more the frost.
Candies the grass or an icy cream upon the silver lake crystal streams,
But the warm sun thaws the benumbed Earth,
And makes it tender; gives sacred birth To the dead swallow wakes in a hollow tree,
the drowsy cuckoo and the humble bee.
Time with the season; only she doth carry June on her eyes,
in her heart January.
[Taking part in Speak Up North] is a great opportunity. Even if you don’t win, you’ll feel great because you participated."Umme, Peel Park Primary, Bradford
