Here is the first good example of writing by boys from the 4th form.

1) A war story, by E Curtis (10.11). The first two paragraphs are particuarly impressive.

THE DEADLY TOWN

Only then did Nigel hear the siren. It seemed to just break the silence. A few seconds later his dad burst in. “What the hell are you waiting for, get to the shelter now!” he roared, grabbing Nigel. Nigel was so terrified. He had never experienced something like this before. They darted downstairs, then his dad tripped. “No!” screamed Nigel and then got hit by such force and flame and smashed through the window. As he lay on the grass in the immense heat he knew that his dad was dead. Suddenly a smooth arm closed in on him and he passed out.

When he woke up, darkness surrounded him. Part of the bomb shelter had collapsed. Nigel got up and heard a scream. He tried to push the door open but a piece of glass was stuck in his arm. Blood was trickling from the wound, he had to move fast. He pulled it out with a jerk and cried out. A fresh scarlet flow leaked onto the floor. Nigel kicked the door. This time it worked. He saw his mum jumping off the ruin of the house. Nigel knew she had mental issues. When he heard the crack he ran towards the house crying “Mum, dad!” When he saw them couldn’t bear the sight. With all his might he lifted the two bodies into a cart. Nigel wheeled it to the harbour and tipped it over. He then headed to the church. He passed his best friend Henry along the rocky and steep road.

“I need to ask the priest to give a funeral for my mum and dad.”

“I’ll come with you,” said Henry. When they had pushed the great rusty door open they went to find the priest. When they found him the door to the allotments burst open and a policeman came in, firing. Nigel and Henry dived for cover but the priest wasn’t so lucky. He was flung backwards into the wall. Footsteps died. “Come on Henry let's go.” They followed the policeman to the police station. “I’ll catch you up,” said Henry. As Nigel was progressing forward came across a door marked private. He went in. All he found was radio equipment. Nigel spied a book and opened it. It was in German. He backed away, not believing his eyes. His back brushed against something. It was a German MP40 machine gun. He picked it up thinking it might be useful then he heard gunfire. He opened the door and fired at the man, the gun slamming into Nigel’s chest. He saw four bullet holes, each one oozing blood. He looked the other way. Henry was on the floor with a leg wound. Nigel lifted Henry up and ran outside. Immediately a spray of bullets whizzed past. Someone jumped on him and they fell to the ground. He smashed down on the concrete. There was the sound of Germans speaking. Nigel and Henry were dragged up and flung in a boat with other people in it. As the boat bobbed away from Portsmouth harbour Nigel was seasick. After that he knew no more.

When Nigel awoke he was on dried-up grass. A wired fence surrounded the area. Nigel realised he was in a concentration camp ...