High Crags Primary Leadership Academy pupils have taken part in a world record attempt.

On Thursday, October 3, to mark National Poetry Day, the pupils joined more than 200,000 others across the globe in a virtual lesson to set the Guinness World Record for the largest multi-venue poetry lesson.

Led by poet and author Laura Mucha, the lesson saw participation from 1,200 schools, including 128 pupils from years three to six at the Shipley academy.

Tuning in at 10am, the schools watched Laura Mucha share her poetry expertise via video link. The pupils then collaborated through an online vote to create a new poem, which will be displayed on billboards nationwide.

Helen Ray, the school’s principal, was responsible for documenting the event meticulously. This included video and photographic evidence of the pupils in attendance, which will be submitted to Guinness World Records for official verification.

The school, part of the Delta Academies Trust, has been designated a ‘beacon school’ by the National Literacy Trust. This title has led to the school collaborating with the trust on research projects and events, like the recent record-breaking attempt.

The ambitious endeavour to break the record for the largest poetry lesson involved a partnership between five literacy charities: Forward Arts Foundation, The Poetry Archive, Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, The Poetry Society, and the National Literacy Trust.

The attempt was publicly funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Pupils and staff at High Crags Primary Leadership Academy will have to wait four weeks to find out if their efforts have been successful and if they will officially hold the world record.

However, their participation in this worldwide event highlights the school’s commitment to literacy and creativity, reflecting its status as a beacon school in the community.

Speaking about her school’s part to play in the world attempt, Helen Ray, said: "I am incredibly proud of our pupils for their participation in such an exciting opportunity. The children thoroughly enjoyed how interactive the lesson was and we are all looking forward to hearing whether we – and the other participating schools – have been successful in setting a new world record."