Wicked Writers: Be the Change
Take part in our Wicked Writers: Be the Change writing competition!
We are delighted to be running our Wicked Writers: Be the Change writing competition from 13 January to 28 February 2025, in partnership with Wicked Active Learning, the acclaimed cultural and social education programme for the UK production of the stage musical Wicked. Download our supporting classroom resources and enter your pupils’ writing through the submission form below to be in with a chance of winning.
What is Wicked Writers: Be the Change?
Wicked Writers is a persuasive writing competition inspired by the themes of Wicked the musical, which gives pupils a chance to have their voice heard and to win some exciting prizes in the process.
This year, we are asking pupils aged 9 to 14 to write persuasively about a positive change they would like to see in their local community. This could be anything from environment to mental health to social justice – it just needs to be local! Making a positive change is a key theme in Wicked and is the subject of the song For Good.
In 2025, we are lucky to have an incredible judging panel, including Cressida Cowell, bestselling author of How to Train Your Dragon and former Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate; Manjeet Mann, award-winning author of The Crossing and Run, Rebel; and Jonathan Douglas, CEO of the National Literacy Trust.
Why take part?
Our research has found that twice as many children and young people who take part in writing competitions report that they enjoy writing, which has great associated benefits from improved writing skills to their confidence, creativity and wellbeing.
The free, supporting classroom resources that go alongside the competition include curriculum-linked activities and aim to support and develop your student's persuasive writing skills.
With prizes including class trips to see Wicked at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, an online writing workshop with Manjeet Mann for your school, book bundles and publication in an anthology, this is an opportunity your students won’t want to miss!
Download our supporting classroom resources and competition terms and conditions
Enter your pupils' writing
When your pupils have written their entries, please submit them through the form below. There is a limit of 300 words for the younger category (9 to 11) and a limit of 500 words for the older category (11 to 14). The deadline is Friday 28 February.
You must not put any information identifying the pupil on the submission document itself (Word doc or PDF). You should instead give their name and age on the submission form. Please name the submission file with the initials of your students, e.g. John Smith’s entry would be ‘JS’.
If you have any queries about the competition, please email Wicked Writers.
Key information
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Eligibility
Open to all UK schools, for students aged 9 to 14.
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Theme
Entries must engage with the theme of local change.
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Entry submission
Teachers can submit an unlimited number of entries.
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Format
Entries must be submitted in a typed Word document or PDF. Do not include students' names on the entry.
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Length
There is a word limit of 300 words for the younger age category (9 to 11), and 500 words for the older age category (11 to 14)
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Winners
A winner and runner up will be chosen in each age category. Shortlisted students will have a chance to be published in the Wicked Writers Anthology.
Submit your entries
Please use this form to provide entry details and upload files.
What teachers and pupils told us
At a time when many young people do not see themselves as writers, this competition encouraging students to consider and create a range of entertaining and thought-provoking stories is invaluable
Ms. Corbally, Library Manager at school of a previous winner
I was so delighted to hear that I was runner up in my category. I am overjoyed that people will read my poetry and see what it means to me.
Samsritha, 2024 runner-up
In partnership with Wicked Active Learning
Praised by educators as “the gold standard for West End shows reaching out into education” and “enriching, engaging, and easy to use”, Wicked Active Learning is the London stage musical’s cultural and social education programme.
“Packed with content that mirrors the framework for personal development” (Belleville Primary School), Wicked provides a range of free classroom resources and lesson plans, a popular programme of official workshops, and post-show Q&As to maximise the educational value and learning potential of school trips to experience the award-winning musical.
The in-house Wicked Active Learning education team are on hand to provide expert advice and school trip planning support, including materials to assist in the completion of risk assessments.
Social media assets
Download our Wicked Writers: Be the Change social media images to share on your own channels