In honour of James Farrar, a former Sutton Grammar School student, WW2 RAF pilot, and in celebration of National Poetry Day, the English Department is proud to launch the James Farrar Competition.

Farrar grew up in Carshalton and enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the age of 18 in 1942. Tragically, he lost his life during a mission over the English Channel in 1944, just three months before his 21st birthday. To commemorate his legacy, Sutton Grammar School awards the annual James Farrar English Prize to students who have excelled in English.

This year, the competition invites students to write a poem for Remembrance Sunday, either in honour of James Farrar or in memory of those who fell in the world wars.

Students may wish to:

Imitate the style, mood, or tone of Farrar’s poetry

Reflect on the impact of the two world wars

Mimic and rewrite a Farrar poem in their own style

There is no word limit. Poems should be submitted via Satchel One by Sunday, 12 October 2025.

Winning entries will be selected to be read aloud at Farrar’s Remembrance Service on Saturday, 8 November, and winners will receive a prize from the English Department in recognition of their poetic achievement.

Good luck and keep faith.