Track Record Poetry
For the eighth year, London St. Pancras Highspeed is proud to support Track Record Poetry in partnership with the Betjeman Poetry Prize. The programme gives local primary school children the opportunity to develop their creativity through poetry workshops before celebrating their work at St. Pancras International.
Inspiring the next generation of poets
For the eighth year, London St. Pancras Highspeed is proud to partner with the Betjeman Poetry Prize to support Track Record, a community poetry project that encourages creativity, confidence and self-expression among local primary school children.
Delivered in partnership with Torriano Primary School and Argyle Primary School in Camden, the programme gives Year 5 pupils the opportunity to take part in a series of interactive poetry workshops led by acclaimed poet Paul Lyalls. Working alongside Imogen Lycett Green, Director of Track Record and granddaughter of Sir John Betjeman, the project inspires young people to explore their imagination, develop their creative skills and discover the power of poetry.
The partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to supporting arts, culture and education at St. Pancras International, while celebrating the station’s unique literary heritage.
Track Record Poetry 2026
This year’s programme once again saw poet Paul Lyalls working with Year 5 pupils from local Camden schools, helping them develop their ideas through a series of engaging poetry workshops.
On Thursday 2 July, students visited St. Pancras International to perform their original poems at a special celebration of their work, marking the culmination of weeks of creativity, collaboration and learning. The event celebrated not only the students’ achievements, but also the importance of giving young people opportunities to express themselves through the arts.
You can find all of the published poems in the downloadable Track Record Poetry eBook at the bottom of this page.
Celebrating eight years of partnership
Since launching our partnership with the Betjeman Poetry Prize, hundreds of young people have taken part in Track Record, producing thoughtful, imaginative and inspiring poems inspired by their surroundings and experiences.
Over the years, the programme has included workshops both in the classroom and aboard Southeastern highspeed services, giving students the opportunity to find inspiration beyond the school gates before sharing their work at St. Pancras International.
The project continues the station’s proud association with poetry, building on the legacy of Sir John Betjeman, whose successful campaign helped save St. Pancras from demolition in the 1960s.