British Council is now inviting applications for British Council Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition, 2017
The competition is open to teachers and students aged 7 to 14 from Commonwealth countries and is a wonderful opportunity for you to add your voice to the Commonwealth’s rich storytelling heritage through writing and illustration (and, of course, be in with the chance of winning some fantastic prizes!)
All sorts of images might pop into your head – maybe of your family, friends, country, or perhaps even of your favourite sports team! It might not be an image at all, but a particular emotion, memory or sensation.
Capture what ‘Belonging’ means to you by putting pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard and submitting your story to our Commonwealth Class story writing competition.
Get your creative juices flowing by heading to the Commonwealth Education Trust’s River of Stories website and exploring they’re inspiring, beautifully illustrated the range of stories and poems from around the Commonwealth? Stories can be submitted electronically and by post, so go ahead and be as bold and innovative as you like.
Entering the competition
The competition is open to teachers and students attending/working at a school recognised by the government of a Commonwealth country.
The deadline for story submissions is 14 November 2016.
Entering the Commonwealth Class story writing competition couldn’t be simpler:
- Scan, take a photo or save a PDF version of your story;
- Complete the competition entry form and upload your story by following this link;
- Read and tick the box to indicate you have read the competition terms of reference (see ‘Documents’ section at the bottom of this page) and submit everything by clicking the ‘Submit Form’ button.
If you prefer, you can post a hard copy of your story and entry form to the following address:
- Elaine Nesbitt
- British Council
- The Boat, 7th floor
- 49 Queen’s Square
- Belfast
- BT1 3FG
- Northern Ireland
All the information you need to write your story is outlined below, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at schools-at-britishcouncil.org if you have any queries.
Submit your story
Information for students
Students will be split into two different age categories: 7 to 10-year-olds and 11 to 14-year-olds.
- Students should write a story set in their own country and based around the theme of ‘Belonging’
- The story must be written in English
- The story should be illustrated. Take a look at the beautiful covers of the Commonwealth Education Trust’s River of Stories anthology as inspiration. Participants are free to choose the medium of their illustrations (for example, they can be hand-drawn, using a computer/tablet etc.)
- The word limit of the story for the 7-10-year-olds category is 300 words
- The word limit of the story for the 11-14-year-olds category is 500 words.
Shortlisting and prizes
Entries will be shortlisted and judged by a panel of judges selected by British Council in the UK.
The following prizes will be given to students awarded first, second and third place in the competition:
- First prize: a River of Stories anthology published by the Commonwealth Education Trust for the school AND a £100 book token or equivalent for the student
- Second prize: £50 book token or equivalent for the student
- Third prize: £30 book token or equivalent for the student.
Information for teachers
- Teachers should submit a fictional story for children on the theme of ‘Belonging’
- The word limit for the story is 1500 words
- The story must be written in English and set in the teacher’s home country.
Short listing and prizes
Shortlisted entries will be judged by Anne Fine, the award-winning author and former Children’s Laureate. The winner will receive the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of taking part in a writing master class delivered by Anne Fine herself and a River of Stories anthology published by the Commonwealth Education Trust for the School.
Enter the competition
The deadline for story submissions is November 14, 2016. Follow the link to download the competition entry form.