Off by Heart

Primary school children from across the country take part in a national poetry recitation competition - the first of its kind. More than 1500 schools signed up to take part, and the film follows 12 children who progress from regional heats to a grand final. Compered by Jeremy Paxman, the final takes place in front of 600 people at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, where the children face a judging panel that includes Philip Pullman, Benjamin Zephaniah and Dawn Postans, Head of Examinations at LAMDA. From the 1500 schools who originally signed up, the 12 finalists have already achieved much by getting this far, but who will be crowned the eventual winner?