Grrrl Power Writing Competition

A writing competition aimed at boys and girls in Years 2-6 to encourage the inclusion of strong female characters in stories.

Background

The Grrrl Power writing competition for Chester schoolchildren was launched in 2018 by an Australian children’s novelist while visiting The Queen’s Lower School. The competition is designed to encourage children, both boys and girls, to include strong female characters in their writing and is aimed at girls and boys in Years 2-6. Children can write prose, poetry, a letter, a script - anything that inspires them and the winners - judged by The Queen’s Senior School English Department - receive their writing typeset and illustrated by professional children's book illustrator Abi Whitehouse. The shortlisted entrants are invited to a writing workshop where the winners are announced.

Resources

English department (six members of staff) time for judging.
Staff to run writing workshop (one at the Lower School for Years 2 and 3 and one at the Senior School for Years 3-6).
Funding of the prize for the winners– unique and personalised artwork by professional illustrator.
Promotion of event through local schools.

Impact

Inspired young children to include strong female characters in their stories.
Provided an opportunity for keen writers to develop their skills further in a bespoke writing workshop.

Pupil Involvement

80 boys and girls from local primary schools entered the competition in total.

Frequency

This is an annual event.