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A World of Wonder |
Poetry Competition
| Ideal for 7-12


A World of Wonder Video

Where will your pupils' imaginations take them?

A World of Wonder is a poetry competition for 7-12 year-olds where anything is possible! Pupils can write about something real, something imagined, something they love, or somewhere they've always wanted to go.

A dragon's cave. Outer space. Their favourite animal. Ancient Egypt. A perfect day. A strange invention. A magical creature. A better world.
Any theme, any style, one simple starting point; imagination...
Perfect for National Poetry Day on 1st October, when this year's theme is 'Wonder'.
Where could their wonder take them?
Sometimes all it takes is one idea. Here are four ways into A World of Wonder...
🌍
EXPLORE A WORLD
Go somewhere amazing.
Outer space β€’ deep underwater β€’ Ancient Egypt β€’ a magical kingdom β€’ somewhere they love
πŸ‰
IMAGINE THE IMPOSSIBLE
Invent something that couldn't really happen.
A talking animal β€’ a dragon next door β€’ a secret doorway β€’ a strange invention β€’ a world run by children
✨
WONDER ABOUT REAL LIFE
Look at something ordinary in a new way.
Friendship β€’ family β€’ nature β€’ growing up β€’ seasons β€’ school β€’ a favourite place
🌟
CHANGE THE WORLD
Imagine how things could be different.
Make a wish β€’ solve a problem β€’ protect the planet β€’ create a kinder world β€’ invent the future
Or something completely different. In A World of Wonder, there are no wrong directions.
Let every pupil take it somewhere different
A World of Wonder can be silly, magical, adventurous, personal, or thoughtful. Pupils can write about something they already love, invent something completely impossible, or turn an everyday idea into something extraordinary.
There's no single 'right' kind of poem and no one route through the activity, so confident writers can stretch their imaginations while less confident pupils still have an easy way in.
FUN TO IMAGINE:
Dragons, space, heroes, magic, strange worlds or anything else they can dream up.
EASY TO MAKE THEIR OWN:
Every pupil can choose a subject and style that suits them.
ACCESSIBLE FOR DIFFERENT ABILITIES:
From a simple acrostic or riddle to free verse, kennings or something more ambitious.
One lesson. Endless possibilities.
A World of Wonder is easy to turn into a ready-made poetry activity. Introduce the idea, spark their imaginations, get them writing, then send us their poems.
1
INTRODUCE
Enter A World of Wonder
2
INSPIRE
Spark an idea
3
WRITE
Create their poem
4
ENTER
Send them in
Everything you need, ready to use
From the first spark to finished poem, we've prepared the resources to help you get your whole class thinking, creating, and writing.
GET THEM EXCITED
Video trailer β€’ Introduce A World of Wonder and spark their imaginations
GET THEM STARTED
Planning worksheet β€’ Choose an idea, poetic style and techniques, with examples to help
GET THEM WRITING
Ready-made lesson plan & activity β€’ Take your class from ideas to poems without planning from scratch
BUILD THEIR POETRY SKILLS
Poetic techniques glossary & examples β€’ Help pupils experiment with language and different ways to write
Creativity with real learning built in
A World of Wonder gives pupils the freedom to follow their imaginations while developing the writing skills you're already teaching.
CREATIVE WRITING
Generate, develop, and shape original ideas.
LANGUAGE & TECHNIQUE
Experiment with vocabulary, imagery, and poetic techniques.
WRITING FORMS
Explore different ways to structure a poem; from acrostics and riddles, to free verse and kennings.
CONFIDENCE & EXPRESSION
Give pupils the freedom to make choices, find their own voice, and create something they're proud of.
Perfect for English, literacy, creative writing, and National Poetry Day.
Imagine seeing their poem in a real book...
For many pupils, that's the moment the activity becomes something more than another piece of schoolwork.
Pupils who enter World of Wonder have the exciting opportunity to have their writing published in a real book, and will receive a certificate recognising their achievement.
Every entrant also receives a bookmark and sticker for taking part.
And there are prizes to win!
FOR PUPILS
10 WINNERS
Our favourite 10 writers will each win a reading and writing hamper packed with goodies.
FOR SCHOOLS
Β£1,000
Young Writers' Award of Excellence
PLUS every participating school receives a free copy of the book their pupils feature in. The more entries you send, the more free copies you'll receive.
Ready to take your class into A World of Wonder?
Everything you need to spark ideas, explore poetry, and get your pupils writing is ready to use.
Closing date: Friday 23rd October 2026
Already got your poems? Enter now β†’

Closing Date: Friday 23rd Oct 2026

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

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

Mrs King, Steyning Grammar School
See more...

Printed Resources

Save money on printing, let us know how many you'd like of the resources below, and we'll pop them in the post for you!

Teacher Information Card
Pupil Worksheet A3

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You'll get access to...

Pupil Worksheet A4
Poetic Techniques Activiies
Examples
Poem Generator
Lesson Plan
Powerpoint PDF
Powerpoint
Teacher Information Card
Parent Guide
Teacher Entry Form
Word Doc Entry Form
Online Writing Portal Pupil Guide
Online Writing Portal Teacher Guide
Pupil Worksheet A3

Competition Rules

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

Closing Date: Friday 23rd Oct 2026

THE POEM
  • Poems must be the pupil's own work.
  • Poems can be written in any poetic style and use any poetic techniques.
  • There is no word or line limit.
  • Work can be handwritten or typed.
  • An adult can scribe/type for a pupil where needed.
  • One entry per pupil.

WHAT TO INCLUDE
  • Each entry should include the pupil's name, age, and school name.
  • Initials or first names only can be used where necessary.
  • If there is anything we should take into consideration when reading the work, please note this on the entry.

SENDING YOUR ENTRIES
  • There is no limit to the number of pupils a school can enter.
  • Where possible, please submit entries together.
  • Include one Teacher Entry Form per teacher.
  • If entries need to be kept separated by class, please submit a separate Teacher Entry Form for each class.
  • Entries can be completed on the pupil entry form, written on an A4 sheet, typed, or submitted through the Online Writing Portal.

GOOD TO KNOW
  • Free to enter.
  • No purchase is necessary to win.
  • Copyright remains with the author.
  • Open to UK entrants only.
Closing date: Friday 23rd October 2026
Already got your poems? Enter now β†’

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

For Schools

Β£1,000
The school with our favourite set of entries will win Β£1,000 & the Young Writers' Award of Excellence.
PLUS free books for participating schools.
Every participating school receives a free copy of the book their pupils feature in, with more free copies available for higher entry volumes.

For Pupils

10 WINNERS
Reading & writing hampers
Our favourite 10 young writers will each win a reading and writing hamper packed with goodies.
Everyone gets something.
Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker, and published young writers receive a Certificate of Merit.
(School and pupil winners will be chosen from entries received in the autumn term 2026 that have permission to be published - no purchase necessary. Prizes will be awarded the following term. Image for illustration purposes only; contents may vary.)
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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 PS
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 PS
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: Friday 23rd Oct 2026