PUPILS at a primary school in Birkenhead are being encouraged to improve their poetry writing skills by studying classic portraits at the Williamson Art Gallery.

All 350 children at Christ Church School in Borough Road will be studying the world-famous gallery's exhibits this week and teachers hope it will stimulate an interest in art, particularly poetry.

The children will be asked to write a short poem about an exhibit of their choice when they return to school.

Helga Jones, co-ordinator of Art and English at the school, says the children are looking forward to the experience. "They're very interested in poetry, and we believe that there is a strong link between art and literacy," she said.

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