Designed to ignite creativity and inspire positive action, this writing competition encourages school children (aged 9-14) across the UK to raise their voices and advocate for a change they want to see in their community.
Writing for a Purpose
With themes inspired by the iconic song “For Good” from the beloved musical Wicked, this year’s competition challenges students aged 9 to 14 to write about any kind of positive change they would like to see in their community. Last year, the competition asked children to use their entries to write about their passion for the environment and the response was huge, with over 1,600 submissions from pupils inspired by the positive themes of Wicked.
Transformative Impact
Research from the National Literacy Trust found that children and young people’s enjoyment of writing, and daily writing habits are at an all-time low. This means that 7 in 10 (71.3%) are missing out on the associated benefits of writing skills like critical thinking, confidence, creativity and wellbeing. By fostering a love for writing and providing a platform for expression, initiatives like Wicked Writers empower children to become confident communicators and advocates for change. Research shows that twice as many children and young people who had taken part in writing competitions reported that they enjoyed writing (43.7% vs 21.7%) and wrote daily (16.2% vs 8.3%) in their free time compared with those who didn’t enter a competition. So, let’s get those pencils sharpened!
Take part! Get published! Share the rewards!
Let your imagination soar and your voice be heard in the Wicked Writers: Be the Change competition! One winner and one runner-up will be selected in each category (Years 5-6 and Years 7-9). All 16 shortlisted pupils will see their work published in an anthology and receive a bundle of brand-new books for their school. Winners will also receive class tickets to see the acclaimed musical Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Closing deadline for entries is 28 February 2025. Teachers register their interest and sign-up to receive updates ahead of the competition launch. Full information and the submission form is available on National Literacy Trust website.