A literacy journey from Taylor Swift to William Shakespeare was embarked on by able, gifted, and talented (AGT) students from Whitworth Community High School.

Along with seven other schools, the students took part in the first of a series of exclusive masterclasses.

They met Dr Scott Annett, senior tutor of studies in the faculty of English at Robinson College, Cambridge University, at nearby Rochdale Town Hall.

The six Year 8 students also explored Chaucer and Dante in the two-hour session.

Alice Kowal, 12, said: "When he started, he was reading out lines from Taylor Swift’s Romeo & Juliet-inspired Love Story, and that made everyone start laughing, and from there he went all the way down to Shakespeare.

"It was good and interactive as he asked us questions, and we had to move about the room whether we agreed, disagreed with a question, or stayed in the middle if we didn’t know."

Masterclass students outside Rochdale Town Hall: Tabitha Summerscales, Alice Kowal, Arabella Gregory, James Power, Bailey Bergin and Samuel Brewis (Image: Supplied) Samuel Brewis, 12, said: "I quite like writing, and I think attending this will help me.

"I like coming up with a story and working out the chain of events, different perspectives, settings, and mood."

Careers co-ordinator Mrs Grenaghan said: "The event, designed to challenge and inspire young learners, left the students buzzing with enthusiasm and newfound confidence in their literary abilities."

The event was organised by Chris Dobbs, strategic director of Oxbridge progression at The Atom Valley Education Challenge Consortium, and is part of a wider scheme to broaden the horizons of talented young people in the area.

The students will continue participating in further workshops every month throughout the academic year.