Schools, Families Hub 19 February 2024

ISEB launches Creative Writing Competition for schools

Schools can now enter their pupils aged 7-16 into ISEB’s innovative creative writing competition, Time to Write; visit write.iseb.co.uk for more information!

The exciting tech-led competition, delivered in partnership with RM Compare, forms part of ISEB’s celebratory 120th year taking place this academic year, 2023-24, alongside other events, activities and engagements to mark the occasion, including a one-day conference for schools taking place in central London in April.

Time to Write is open to all schools, independent, state-maintained, academy trusts and others, offering four categories for the different age groups with prizes available for both the winning writers and their schools.

The competition is now open and closes on 26 April 2024. To find out more, download resources and explore the competition, visit write.iseb.co.uk

The shortlisting process will be done using cutting-edge Adaptive Comparative Judgement technology on the RM Compare platform, allowing schools and pupils to take part in the shortlisting of entries, with the top ten entries in each category moving forward to our esteemed judges for final review and selection.

The prizes 

The winning writers in each category will see themselves in print, as each will have their story turned into an illustrated book! Prizes will also be awarded to the winning writers’ schools.

There are also a range of other exciting prizes on offer for the winners and runners-up, including Amazon Fire Tablets, Altec Lansing Bluetooth speakers and headphones, and book and audiobook subscriptions.

The theme and categories 

Writers will be asked to submit stories of a defined length based on a time-travel theme, and we’ll be looking for the most creative entries in the first round of judging.

Writers in Years 3 and 4: 500 words
Writers in Years 5 and 6: 650 words
Writers in Years 7, 8, and 9: 750 words
Writers in Years 10 and 11: 1000 words

Word counts are advised lengths and final submissions can be +/- 10%.

The theme is:

A time machine is found hidden in a cave. Inside, there is a clock with two options: the first, to travel in time 120 years into the past, and the second, to travel in time 120 years into the future.

Who finds it, and what happens next?

Ready to get started?

Visit the Time to Write website for full information about how to enter, including competition terms and conditions.

Time to Write is being delivered in partnership with RM Compare and is kindly sponsored by, Altec Lansing, Ingram Micro, Scanning Pens Ltd and Oxford University Press. 

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