'SHALL I compare thee to a summer's day?' is arguably Shakespeare's most famous line, and also a favourite of poet Simon Armitage.

During an event where a new hand-printed collection of the Bard's sonnets was presented at the Bodleian's Weston Library, Oxford University's Professor of Poetry said it was important that poetry remained a prolific part of children's education.

Mr Armitage told the Oxford Mail: "Poetry is the way we communicate.

"I thought it was a terrific event myself because it is very exciting for those children to come along to such a historical landmark and feel a part of it.

"I think the main thing is that kids are often getting chastised these days for their use of language or not being interested in language.

"Well I have never believed that for a minute.

"I think that is what today proved – that with the right tools and the right encouragement, young people can surprise you for the better."

Mr Armitage who has been in his post for almost a year said poetry and language exploration is something that should be encouraged in the curriculum.

Mr Armitage also said school pupils needed to stop being given 'lists of bullet points' to memorise for English exams.

He added: "We need to tell them there is no right and wrong when it comes to language and poetry and encourage their own free-thinking."

During the event, Mr Armitage also accepted sonnets composed by Oxford school pupils during a series of workshops led by Kate Clanchy, Oxford's official City Poet.

Her Sonnet Parcels project was funded by a grant from Arts Council England as part of the citywide Shakespeare Oxford 400 Festival and involved sonnet-writing workshops in six schools in Oxford.

The pupils took part in hand-printing their sonnets on the Bodleian’s historic printing press and the poems have been bound into a booklet.

Shukria Rezaei, a student at Oxford Spires Academy, read her poem 'Say I am You' (after Rumi).

The 19-year-old, who speaks several languages, said it took her 15 minutes to write the sonnet.

She said: "I speak several languages so I wrote and English and Persian version of my poem.

"Poetry is very important because you can express your feelings.

"It allows you to transfer the imagery in your head to then be put on the page for other people to read and see."

Alexandra Franklin, coordinator of the Bodleian Centre for the Study of the Book, said: "All of these projects have been inspired by Shakespeare’s popularity 400 years after his death

"Having taken a fresh look at Shakespeare’s plays and poetry in all of these projects, we feel that the Shakespearian sonnet, his special poetic form, is very much alive today in Oxford and around the world."