Premier League Writing Stars Poetry Competition

Welcome to the Premier League Writing Stars competition 2018

Here you can find out how you and your pupils can take part and win some money-can’t-buy prizes. This year we want your pupils to write poems based on the theme of diversity, using inspiration from the poem written specially for Premier League Writing Stars, Beautifully different, Wonderfully the same by Joseph Coelho. The poem and subject encourage us to think of ways to celebrate similarities and differences that bring us together, and these are themes that run through this programme.

Download a copy of the poster here.

Download a Welsh language copy of the poster here.

The judging panel includes former Premier League footballer Rio Ferdinand, singer and songwriter Olly Murs, Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate Lauren Child, poet Joseph Coelho. Casia Wiliam, current Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh-language Children’s Poet Laureate) will guest judge all Welsh-language entries. All judging will be overseen by National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas.

Watch the video below to hear the poem read aloud by an all-star cast!

Key information

• The competition is open from Tuesday 9 October 2018 until the end of the autumn term – Friday 21 December 2018.
• There are two age categories – one for pupils in Key Stage 1 and one for those in Key Stage 2 – and two language categories – English and Welsh.
• Individual or group entries are allowed for Key Stage 1, only individual entries for Key Stage 2.
• Poems should be no more than 20 lines or 150 words and be on the theme of diversity.
• Pupils can continue the Beautifully different, Wonderfully the same poem or start a new poem. Poems can be of any structure and don’t have to rhyme.
• Teachers can upload entries as PDFs or image files using the upload function on this page OR by posting them together with the completed Class entry form which you can find in the Key Stage 1 resource pack or Key Stage 2 resource pack. As part of the resource packs, we have included poem entry activity sheets which pupils must use for their final poem entries.
• Teachers need to be registered for Premier League Primary Stars to enter their pupils’ work for the competition online or by post. You can enter your whole class or select your top entries, it’s up to you.
• In March 2019, we'll be in touch with all schools that have entered to let them know if they are one of the winners.

Prizes

There will be a top overall prize and 10 prizes for each category (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2) in each area. There will also be prizes for the best entries in the Welsh language at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Prizes for overall winners:

• A Premier League Trophy visit to your school
• A visit to your school by a children’s author or poet to lead a poetry workshop
• Winning poems read aloud by one of our star judges

Prizes for regional and Welsh winners and overall winners:

• Poems published in an official Premier League Writing Stars book with bespoke illustrations
• An invitation to a national celebration event and the chance to meet other poets and special guests
• A framed version of the winning poems
• Poetry book bags for all winners’ schools

There will also be some brilliant bags full to the brim with poetry books up for grabs for the first 1000 schools who submit entries!

Judging criteria

The judges will be looking for the following:

• Vocabulary that is relevant to the theme of diversity
• An appropriate tone
• Poetry – figurative speech and devices to build a picture in the reader’s mind in a creative and effective way. For example, alliteration, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, symbolism.
• Elements of poetry – words chosen for effect, a sense of structure, clever use of rhythm, purposeful use of rhyme, (although not all poems have to rhyme).
• Effect – does the poem celebrate diversity? Do you understand what is important about diversity having read this?
• Originality – does this entry stand out from the rest? Is it original and unique?
• Appeal – will it appeal to other primary-age pupils?

We will judge poems on their creative merits. Primary age children develop their skills in writing, spelling and punctuation as they go through school and poems will not be disqualified for errors in handwriting, spelling or punctuation. However, we would encourage all entrants to proof read their poem carefully and send us their best copy.

Supporting resources and activity ideas

We have created some competition packs developed in partnership with the National Literacy Trust with just the right amount of useful resources, including lesson ideas, poem entry activity sheets (which pupils must use for their final entries) and inspirational videos. There is also a Class entry form if you’d rather submit your entries by post. Download what you need and get your pupils writing! You need to register to access all the resources - it's free and really quick to do.

• Key Stage 1 Writing Stars resource pack
• Key Stage 2 Writing Stars resource pack

Welsh language versions of these packs are also available below:

• Premier League Writing Stars 2018: Cystadleuaeth Farddoniaeth Amrywiaeth Foundation
• Premier League Writing Stars 2018: Cystadleuaeth Farddoniaeth Amrywiaeth KS2

You might also be interested in our other English poetry packs – have a look at our Key Stage 1 resource Matchday Magic and our Premier League Reading Stars resource, Poetry Slam, for pupils in upper Key Stage 2. There is also a Key Stage 2 PSHE pack all about Diversity.

Full terms and conditions are available.