The BBC's 500 Words Competition, why it's important for schools to take part.

Speakers from the National Literacy Trust, Oxford University Press and World Book Day make the case for schools taking part in the BBC 500 Words competition. Published 10 September 2024, so competition details are for that year.

What this covers

• The speakers' concern that children are engaging less with creative writing.
• How the competition can encourage creativity and pupils' own voices in writing.
• The language data the competition provides.
• How a school can take part.

Before you act on it

Check the current year's dates and rules on the BBC's 500 Words page. For writing in the curriculum, see the national curriculum English programmes of study.

About the session

This webinar explores the importance of the BBC 500 Words competition for schools and children. The speakers discuss declining creative writing engagement among children and how the competition can renew it, how it encourages creativity, the language data it provides, and how it lets young writers explore their own voices.