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War Poetry 2026 |
Poetry Competition
| 4-18


War Poetry 2026 Video

Give pupils a voice on war, peace and remembrance

War Poetry invites 4-18 year-olds to explore the themes of war and peace through poetry.

Pupils can respond to something they have learnt about in school, reflect on events past or present, write from another person’s point of view, or draw on their own experiences and feelings.

There’s no set poetry style, line limit or word count, so pupils have the freedom to express their ideas in a way that works for them.

What could your pupils write about?

Give them the freedom to choose a direction that interests them:

🌺

Remembrance

Remember those who served, sacrificed or lost their lives.

🕊️

The Hope of Peace

What would a peaceful world look or feel like? They can imagine change, question conflict or send a message about the future.

🎖️

Courage & Service

Explore the bravery, sacrifice or experiences of those serving in the armed forces.

👧

Children & Families

Write about the innocent people affected by conflict or what it might be like when someone you love is serving away from home.

👁️

Another Point of View

Step into somebody else’s shoes – a soldier, evacuee, child, parent, nurse, refugee or another person affected by war.

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Something They’ve Learnt

Turn a history lesson, class discussion, book, photograph or real event into poetry.

Poetry gives every pupil a way in

There is no prescribed poetry style and no line or word limit.

Pupils could write:

Free verse Acrostic Rhyming poetry Haiku Narrative poetry Sense poem

That means more confident writers can experiment with style or techniques, while pupils who are less familiar with poetry can keep things simple.

The important thing is giving them the opportunity to express what war, peace or remembrance means to them .

✏️ It’s easy to take part

1

📚 Fit it into what you're already teaching

War Poetry can complement work on history, remembrance, conflict, citizenship, PSHE or poetry , or simply be used as a standalone creative writing activity.

2

💡 Choose a focus

Pupils can use one of the themes above, respond to something they have learnt in class or choose their own interpretation of war and peace.

3

✍️ Write the poem

There’s no required style or length. Poems can be handwritten or typed.

4

📮 Send them to us

Once they’re ready, entries can be submitted online, by email or by post .

That’s it: no complicated format and no lengthy set-up. Just give pupils a subject, let them choose their approach and give them the space to write.

Give their words an audience

Taking part gives pupils a real purpose for their writing.

📖

See Their Work Published

Be published in a special War Poetry book.

🏆

Win Prizes

Our favourite poet will win a £50 Amazon gift card & a trophy.

🌺

Make an Impact

Help readers reflect on war, peace and remembrance.

Their words can make someone stop and think

War Poetry gives young people the chance to consider experiences beyond their own, remember the past and share their hopes for the future.

Whether their poem is personal, historical, reflective or hopeful, their words deserve to be heard.

Lest we forget.

Closing Date: Friday 27th Nov 2026

We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
“
”

Great competitions and easy to use resources! Highly recommend to all literacy teachers

Mrs King, Steyning Grammar School
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Enter Details to Download

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You'll get access to...

Teacher Entry Form
Sense Poem Planning Sheet
Student Entry Form
Poster

Competition Rules

To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:

Closing Date: Friday 27th Nov 2026
  • Open to 4-18 year-olds.
  • Only one entry per person.
  • Open to both schools & independent entrants in the UK.
  • Poems can be written in any style and there is no word or line limit.
  • Work can be submitted on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or typed.
  • The entrant's name, age and full address must be included with their entry. Initials or first names only can be accepted.
  • The poem must be the pupil's own, original work.
  • No purchase necessary to win
  • Copyright remains with the author.
  • Free to enter.
  • UK entrants only

If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

For Schools

1st Prize

War Poetry Book Bundle

📚

PLUS all participating schools will receive a free copy of the book their pupils feature in.

School and student winners will be notified & prizes awarded shortly after the books' publication in the Spring Term 2027. Image is for illustration purposes only, exact contents of the book bundle may vary based on school age and availability.

For Pupils

1st Prize

£50 Amazon Gift Card & Trophy

🏆

Our 1st place winner will receive a £50 Amazon gift card and a trophy.

🔖

Every entrant will receive a bookmark.

📜

A certificate will be awarded to all writers whose work we'd love to publish.

Download Now

It’s easy to take part!

  1. Download entry forms
  2. Your students write or type their entry (or an adult can scribe) ensuring their name (or initials) and age are included
  3. Submit your entries using one of the options below

Enter Online

  Email

Email your entries to [email protected] and please ensure your pupils' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!

  Upload

Upload your entries

  Entrants type their entries online

Why not combine literacy and ICT by using the online writing portal? Entrants can type their work and you can submit them at the click of a button!

Writing Portal

  File Sender Services

You can use different file sender services to enter digitally, such as: WeTransfer, Google Classroom, Dropbox, Send Anywhere, Egress, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Smash, Files.com, Apple iCloud Drive, FileCloud

Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.

Download Now

Send by Freepost

Send your entries, along with your teacher entry form, to:

FREEPOST RSLY-AUJA-RAHY
Young Writers War Poetry
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

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Get In Touch

Email
[email protected]

Tel
01733 890066

Post
FREEPOST RSLY-AUJA-RAHY
Young Writers War Poetry
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: Friday 27th Nov 2026