"When I heard I had come first in the competition, I was overjoyed… I am so excited to see Wicked with all my classmates.” Amélie Arumugum, Winner, Younger Category, 2023
In 2023, we recorded that one in seven young writers are ‘social writers’ as they either write to support causes and issues they care about or because it makes them feel connected to the world. Moreover, our latest research shows that giving children and young people the opportunity to get inspired to write through literacy events can positively influence their writing enjoyment and frequency.
We found more children and young people who had taken part in writing competitions say that they enjoy writing and write daily in their free time compared with those who didn’t enter a competition.
This is why we’ve teamed up with the stage musical Wicked, and its acclaimed Wicked Active Learning cultural and social education programme, to run an exciting social action writing competition encouraging school pupils to write about a positive environmental change they want to see.
Who can enter the Wicked Writers competition?
Open to all UK schools and launching on 29 January 2024, Wicked Writers: Be the Change asks 9 to 14 year-olds to harness the power of persuasive writing to think about any environmental issue they feel passionately about.
Pupils’ writing will be judged in two age categories – ages 9 to 11 (KS2 / P6, P7) and ages 11 to 14 (KS3 / S1, S2, S3). Teachers will be able to download a resource pack including engaging lesson plans linked to the National Curriculum to inspire pupils to write about environmental issues close to their hearts.
What do shortlisted and winning young writers receive?
All shortlisted young writers will be published in the Wicked Writers Anthology and receive free copies of the publication.
- Prizes include free class tickets to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London
- Author visits from MG Leonard and
- Curated book bundles.
What is the deadline for the writing competition?
The deadline for entries will be 11 March 2024.
When will the winner be announced?
The winners of our Wicked Writers competition will aptly be announced on Earth Day on Monday 22 April 2024.
Schools can sign up for updates about the competition by expressing interest here or by emailing Wicked Writers.
“I will not lie down and watch trees fall to the ground, I will stand up and fight until things are put right. Deforestation must not continue to ruin our jungles, forests and woods. We must take action and realise that our beautiful world is falling apart before our very eyes. We have to stop this before it is too late and everything is broken. We can start by trying to stop deforestation (only one of the reasons why our planet is in danger).” - Excerpt from Amélie Arumugum’s 2023 winning piece (Younger Category).