Image of a pencil and the words 'writing competition for children and young people'

In partnership with our Council of Governors, we recently launched a writing competition for children and young people with the aim of celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion by giving entrants the opportunity to write about themselves and to share their experiences with others.

We asked children and young people in Derby and Derbyshire to send us an original poem, prose, letter, diary entry or blog post on the theme of 'what it's like to be me'.

Read on for the finalists and their entries - or jump down to see the winners!

Our finalists

Thank you to every child and young person that submitted an entry this year. We had some absolutely fantastic entries! The judging panel - Emma Hickman, Primary School Teacher, Marie Hickman, Trust Library and Knowledge Manager and Staff Governor and Freya Wolfe - successful local author, met recently and have selected 14 finalists.

Delilah - age 11

Eva - age 10

Francesca - age 9


Gracy-Ann - age 11

Henry - age 10

Ivy - age 6

Maisie - age 11

Mia - age 7

Pheobe - age 7

Priya - age 14

Rebekah - age 9

Stanley - age 12

Trisha - age 12

Zofie - age 15

 

Our winners - congratulations!

The winning entries were announced at the Trust’s Annual Members Meeting, on 26 September 2024. Prizes for the winners will include a certificate and book token.

Age group – 5-7 years

Winner – Ivy Irunga Slack age 6
Highly Commended – Phoebe Watkins age 7

Age group 8 – 10 years

Winner – Francesca Bowers age 9
Highly Commended – Rebekah Ager age 9

Age group – 11 – 13 years

Winner – Stanley Yapp age 12
Highly Commended – Delilah Burns age 11

Age group – 14-18

Winner – Zofie Selucker age 15
Highly Commended – Priya Munnien age 14.

More information about these entries, including the judges' comments, can be found in the writing competition booklet.