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Claverdon Primary

BBC’s 500 Words competition

Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are excited to share an amazing opportunity with you and your children! The BBC’s 500 Words competition is back for 2024, and we would love for our children to take part. This is a fantastic chance for the children to let their creativity shine by writing their very own short story.
What is 500 Words?
The BBC 500 Words competition is a national short story writing contest for children aged 5 to 11. The challenge is simple: write an original story in 500 words or less! It’s a wonderful way for children to explore their imaginations, improve their writing skills and have fun in the process.
Not only is the competition enjoyable, but there are also fantastic prizes for winners, including a visit to Buckingham Palace!
How to Enter:
Entering the competition can be done online. Here’s how:
  1. Story Writing: Encourage your child to start writing their story (remember, the maximum word limit is 500 words). The story can be on any topic or theme—there are no limits on creativity! 
  2. Online Entry Form: Once the story is ready, you can submit it by filling out an online entry form. This form will require you to provide some basic information about your child and their story.
    To enter, go to the BBC 500 Words website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/500-words/articles/zqc8mbk
  3. Submission Deadline: The deadline for submissions is Friday 8th November.
Additional Information
  • Each child can only submit one story.
  • The stories will be judged based on imagination, originality, and plot rather than spelling or grammar, so encourage your child to dream big!
This competition is optional to enter. We are encouraging as many children as possible to take part in this exciting challenge over the half-term break, in replacement of any spelling homework! It’s a fantastic way for them to express their creativity, build confidence in writing, and perhaps even win some wonderful prizes!
If you have any questions or need help with the submission process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your child on their writing journey.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support, 
Miss Turner