Verified

Writing

United Kingdom

Eligible ages: 6 - 18

School level: Open globally to students under 19; junior category is under 15

Competition stages: Registration, essay submission, shortlisting, academic conference, awards dinner

Registration method: Individual allowed

Fee: Entry is free; late submission options are paid.

Online / in-person: Online

Registration open: 2 Feb 2026

Registration deadline: 31 Mar 2026

Registration open

Competition date start: 1 Apr 2026

Competition date end: 31 May 2026

Last checked at: 20 Feb 2026

Verification status: Verified

Registration opens: 2 February, 2026.
Registration deadline: 31 March, 2026. (Registration is required by this date for subsequent submission).
Submissions open: 1 April, 2026.
Submission deadline: 31 May, 2026
Late entry deadline: 7 June, 2026 (for the seven-day extension) or 21 June, 2026 (for the twenty-one-day extension).
Notification of short-listed essayists: 7 July, 2026.
Academic conference: 2-4 October, 2026.
Awards dinner: 3 October, 2026.