Our Year 8 students have once again proven that the power of the written word is alive and well at Stretford Grammar School. This term, a dedicated group of young critics took part in the prestigious Trafford Young Reader’s Award, embarking on a creative journey titled “The Line They Drew Through Us.”

In a unique collaboration with Young Identity—Manchester’s premier spoken word and performance arts collective—our students were challenged to go beyond simple reading. The project required them to immerse themselves in three contemporary novels, deconstructing complex themes of identity, boundaries, and social justice.

From Page to Podium

The culmination of the project saw our students present their findings to a panel. Rather than a standard book review, the students were encouraged to use their "Young Identity" training to bring their reflections to life through performance and persuasive oratory.

The SGS team navigated the literature with incredible maturity, discussing how the "lines" drawn in society—whether geographical, social, or personal—impact the lives of young people today.

Highly Commended Performance

We are thrilled to announce that the Stretford Grammar presentations were Highly Commended by the judging panel. The judges specifically noted the students' ability to connect the fictional narratives to real-world issues with confidence and flair.

Our School Librarian, Mrs. Murphy, who accompanied the students throughout the project, expressed her immense pride in their achievement:

"It has been a joy to watch our Year 8s grow through this project. Partnering with Young Identity allowed them to find their own voices within the stories they read. To see them stand before a panel and speak with such passion and intellectual rigour was truly inspiring; they represented the spirit of Stretford Grammar perfectly."