How to run a whole-school writing competition

Competitions are a brilliant way to get students excited about writing. They bring a sense of purpose and a little friendly rivalry, which can boost confidence and engagement for all writers.

One fantastic example comes from Monkseaton Middle School, where Sandra Marshall, the school’s literacy lead, runs a half-termly writing competition that has become a real highlight for pupils.

How Monkseaton Middle School does it

Every half term, Sandra chooses a Pobble 365 image prompt to inspire writing across the school. Pupils from Year 5 to Year 8 are invited to enter, and they have around five to six weeks to work on their piece. Each winner receives a writing journal, and the whole event brings writing to life in a fun and meaningful way.

“As the literacy lead, I read all entries and share them with colleagues before the winners are chosen,” Sandra explains.
“The children love seeing their writing celebrated, and it helps us keep writing at the heart of our school.”

How writing competitions benefit teachers too

Writing competitions are not just fun for pupils. They are also powerful tools for teachers looking to boost motivation and raise standards.

💡 Motivation to do their best work
When pupils know there is a chance to win or be recognised, they often put in more effort. This can lead to more thoughtful, creative writing and improved overall quality.

💡 Builds writing stamina
Working towards a competition deadline helps children develop the habit of planning, drafting and editing, which supports writing stamina in the long run.

💡 Encourages reflection and improvement
Competitions create a natural reason for pupils to revisit their work, check it carefully and try to make it even better. This reflective habit is essential for confident, independent writers.

💡 Celebrates writing as a whole-school priority
Seeing writing displayed and rewarded across year groups helps everyone feel proud of their efforts and reinforces that writing matters.

How to set up your own school writing competition

If you would like to try a writing competition in your own school, here’s a simple guide to get you started:

1️⃣ Choose a prompt
Pick a Pobble prompt that sparks curiosity and excitement. From underwater kingdoms to magical forests, there are 365 daily prompts to choose from, so there’s always something fresh to explore. You could even let pupils vote on their favourite prompt from the calendar to build ownership and excitement.

2️⃣ Set a deadline
Give pupils enough time to craft their best work. A half-termly or monthly competition can work well, especially when balanced with other writing tasks. Setting a clear deadline creates a sense of urgency and keeps everyone motivated.

3️⃣ Make it part of a bigger event
Link the competition to a whole-school writing day or themed week. This can give the event extra energy and ensure writing is celebrated as a community.

4️⃣ Involve everyone in the judging
Encourage children to read their work aloud in class and let their peers vote for a winner. This promotes speaking and listening skills and gives every child a chance to shine.

5️⃣ Set it as a homework project
For pupils who need more time to polish their entries, set the competition as a home learning challenge. This can also create opportunities for families to get involved and support writing at home.

6️⃣ Celebrate all effort, not just the winners
Plan a short celebration in class or assembly where every child can share their work. Display entries in classrooms or communal areas to give everyone a moment in the spotlight.

7️⃣ Offer fun prizes
Beyond a writing journal or special pen, consider small book vouchers, certificates or even the chance to read their work in assembly. These little extras can add a fun, competitive edge.

8️⃣ Keep it fresh
Run competitions on different themes throughout the year to keep pupils engaged. Seasonal topics or cross-curricular links (like science or history) can offer new sparks of inspiration.

9️⃣ Use Pobble to make it easy
Pobble’s daily writing prompts come with ready-made activities and differentiated resources. This means you have everything you need to run a competition without hours of extra planning.

Pobble’s daily writing prompts are ready-made and designed to inspire. Each one comes with activities like story starters, sentence challenges and vocabulary support, helping teachers quickly adapt them for different ages and abilities. Plus, with prompts covering everything from mysterious storms to exciting undersea adventures, there is always something fresh to share with your writers.

Ready to Get Started?

Explore Pobble’s 365 daily prompts and see how a writing competition can bring energy and excitement to your classroom or school.

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