Pupils from Colpand Community School and Crest Academy write about their experiences of moving to Britain

Students have written poems based on their experiences of moving to Britain after receiving help from top writers.

Pupils from Copland Community School in Cecil Avenue, Wembley, and Crest Academy in Crest Road, Neasden, contributed to the multi-cultural book My Suitcase is Packed.

It features young people from Africa and Europe who recently started school in the UK.

Contributors had 10 weeks of lectures with wordsmiths such as Malika Booker, Miriam Halahmy and Pat Hicks. Ms Booker said: “I am struck by the power of words, by the rich imagery, the emotional resonance, the lingering of loss and missing love.”

The collection is produced by the John Lyons Charity and literature charity English PEN. Visit www.englishpen.org