Three children from a school in Bushey have scooped top prize in a writing competition.

Highwood Primary School’s pupils Lilla Vicente, Poppy Webster and Koriye Karayilan submitted a creative, descriptive and non-fiction piece based on an inspiring book.

The London-wide competition was organised by the Cheltenham Literature Festival and the Centre for Literacy and required schools to submit work representative of a class’s range of abilities.

The Year 5 trio’s stories were based on Catherine Johnson’s book Freedom – which tells the tale of a slave boy taken from his family in the 18th century who encounters the anti-slave trade movement.

Watford Observer: Lilla VicenteLilla Vicente

Following their success they won £100 worth of books for the school.

Writing leader Mr Waygood said he was “so impressed” with his class’s writing overall, adding: “It just goes to show how with the right book you can get everyone talking, reading and writing.”

Deputy headteacher Michelle Green added she was “delighted” at the children’s success.

“They have always loved a good book and I've often seen them listening to stories as I've walked down the corridor,” she said.

“It has really inspired their writing and I'm so pleased to see the hard work of the whole class has been recognised.”

Watford Observer: Koriye KarayilanKoriye Karayilan

Watford Observer: Poppy WebsterPoppy Webster