Schools writing prize: First Story National Writing Competition

Students from all secondary state schools in the UK are invited to enter writing on the theme of 'echoes'
Entries may be up to 850 words. The winning writing will be published in the Sunday Times and in a collected anthology, and its writer will earn a place on an Arvon residential writing course.
The contest is split into three levels: school level, national level and a teacher competition.
• At the first, school, level, students submit their writings to a teacher.
• At national level, a longlist and then a shortlist will be selected, and a winner will be selected from each key stage. Each key stage winner will be invited on a dedicated Arvon creative writing residential, along with their teacher and three friends.
• The teacher competition invites teachers to write 850 words on the 'echoes' theme. The best entry by teacher will win a place on an Arvon course.
Detailed resources for First Story, including a teachers' pack, are available.
The closing date is 4 December.

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