From the BBC Radio 2 website: "Six years ago, Chris Evans had a dream: to get children excited about reading and writing. All children, no matter what their ability. 500 Words is now one of the most successful story-writing competitions for kids in the world. Nearly half a million pupils have written a story for us; that’s over 215 MILLION words!
It’s very simple. Pupils write an original story on any subject or theme in 500 Words or fewer and submit it online. If they win, their story will be read live on the radio by a superstar celebrity…like Sir Kenneth Branagh, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Bonneville or Sherlock himself – Benedict Cumberbatch. Each year, 10 million Radio 2 listeners hear, read and love these stories.
Winners will rub shoulders with the world’s biggest celebrities and massive pop-stars performing at the final. Plus in 2016, 500 Words is delighted to welcome back real-life royalty to the competition: Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, who returns in 2016 to support the competition as our Honorary Judge! She'll be reading and debating the top 50 stories of the competition with our amazing author panel: Malorie Blackman, Charlie Higson, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Francesca Simon.
AND in the year of Shakespeare's 400th anniversary, our final will be live from the home of British story-telling,Shakespeare's Globe, on the 27th May.
Entry to this competition is open to persons who will be aged between 5 and 13 years on the 27th May 2016 who are full time residents of the UK
The competition is open from the 18th January 2016 and closes for entries at 7pm on the 25th February, so it’s perfect teaching for Spring term."
For more information visit the website
