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The UK’s most profitable writing competitors for kids, BBC 500 Words, opens right this moment, Tuesday 23 September.
The competitors, supported by BBC Bitesize for Teachers, encourages youngsters of all skills to dive deep into their creativeness and write the story they’d like to learn in 500 phrases or fewer, with out concern of spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.
Open to ages 5–7 and eight–11, the competitors’s return was revealed by Alex Jones on Monday’s episode of The One Show, the place she additionally revealed that the grand closing shall be held on the iconic Windsor Castle.
The judging panel are Malorie Blackman, Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Sir Lenny Henry, Charlie Higson and Francesca Simon, and, chaired by Alex Jones.
Alex Jones, The One Show presenter and 500 Words judging panel chair mentioned: “We are so excited to be back for 500 Words! It’s a highlight in The One Show calendar and being invited to Windsor Castle for the Grand Final feels really special. I can’t wait to read the brilliant stories and celebrate reading, writing and imagination!”
Francesca Simon, Author and 500 Words choose mentioned: “I love 500 Words. It’s a celebration of children’s creativity, a chance for kids aged 5-11 to write any story they like. I’ve been a judge since 2014 and reading the finalists’ fantastic stories is one of the highlights of my year.”
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education mentioned: “Storytelling and creativity are at the heart of everything we do. Now, it’s our young audience’s turn to share what inspires and motivates them through the power of words. 500 Words offers a safe and empowering space for children to bring their stories to life, giving us a unique glimpse into the issues and ideas that matter most to them.”
Following its royal legacy, the competitors has the help of Her Majesty The Queen. The competitors winners can have the possibility to fulfill The Queen, with the grand closing happening at Windsor Castle in February 2026.
Fifty finalists, together with their dad and mom or carers, shall be invited to a star-studded closing at Windsor Castle in February 2026, the place the highest six tales (bronze, silver and gold in every class) shall be learn out by celebrities. The occasion shall be proven as a part of a particular 500 Words programme with The One Show (BBC One, 7pm) in early March 2026.
Winners in each age teams will obtain thrilling prizes, together with:
All profitable tales shall be illustrated by youngsters’s illustrators and printed in a particular 500 Words winners’ e-book produced by Oxford University Press. Illustrators embody Korky Paul, Harriet Muncaster, Paula Bowles, Rochelle Falconer, Leigh Hodgkinson and Ken Wilson-Max.
Each of the highest 50 finalists will obtain a artistic pack from Crayola to encourage creativeness and help their storytelling, and have their story printed on the five hundred Words web site.
One extra entry shall be chosen at random from all non-winning entries to attend the ultimate – this fortunate entrant will obtain a bundle of books and their college may also obtain 500 books and literacy wall artwork of their selection.
The competitors opens Tuesday 23 September, and all tales should be typed and submitted by an grownup by 9pm on Friday 7 November 2025.
If you’d like assist submitting entries on your baby, class, sports activities group or neighborhood group, go to the BBC 500 Words website for full particulars, phrases and circumstances, and privateness notices.
To have a good time the launch, a 30-minute 500 Words Live Lesson introduced by Sir Lenny Henry and Naomi Wilkinson, will broadcast at 11am on Wednesday 24 September on the BBC Live Lessons web site (bbc.co.uk/livelessons), CBBC channel and on BBC iPlayer. Sir Lenny and Naomi shall be stay from the Museum of the Home, accumulating substances for a superb and unique 500 Words story – and galvanizing youngsters to write down their very own brief tales to enter within the 500 Words competitors. Accompanying sources can be found on-line (bbc.co.uk/livelessons), the place lecturers may also request a shout-out for his or her college.
BBC Children’s and Education runs 500 Words in partnership with: Beano, EFL within the Community, HeadteacherChat, Libraries Connected, National Book Tokens, National Literacy Trust, Oxford University Press, Pobble, Premier League Primary Stars, Publishers Association, The Reading Agency, World Book Day and new accomplice, Crayola.
HG
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2025/bbc-500-words-returns-a-royal-celebration-of-childrens-creativity
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…