Once Upon A Dream 2024 |
Poetry Competition | Ideal for 7-12
Set imaginations alight with Once Upon A Dream, the creative writing competition that encourages imaginative thinking and gives 7-12 year-olds a purpose to write.
Once Upon A Dream encourages creativity, giving all your pupils the chance to shine and become confident writers.
Your pupils are invited to delve into their imaginations to write about their dreams. Using any style or technique, they can write about incredible worlds or fantasy creatures, conjure up nightmares to face their fears, or write about real-life dreams such as their ambitions or goals, hopes or wishes.
Pop on the video and relax with a cup of tea as the Big Friendly Poet teaches your pupils about similes, imagery, onomatopoeia and personification, giving them the tools to write engaging, effective poems.
Benefits of Entering
🌟 Colourful worksheets to engage your pupils
🌟 Opportunity for your pupils to be published in a real book
🌟 Tie in with your class topic or book for cross-curricular links
🌟 No limits on poetry style or subject
🌟 Incredible poetry book bundle for the school with the best set of entries
🌟 Bookmark and sticker for every entrant
🌟 Free to enter
There's a wealth of free resources available to download, including example poems from past winners, a lesson plan and accompanying PowerPoint for use without the video, and fun creative activities for your class to inspire ideas.
Once Upon A Dream is ideal for 7-12 year-olds, but pupils outside the age range are welcome to enter, so it's a great opportunity to get your whole school writing!
Save your print costs and request as many entry forms as you need and we'll post them out to you free of charge.
Your pupils will love letting their imaginations run riot, and we can't wait to read their work for Once Upon A Dream!
Closing Date: Friday 24th May 2024
We loved doing 'This Is Me' so it's great that you offer an opportunity for a younger age group too.
Z Everett, The London Acorn School See more...Thank you for this fun opportunity. My class loved the idea to be creative and has allowed their imaginations to come to life on paper. I've read so many amazing animal diary entries.
S Shortt, St Albans RC Primary School See more...Such wonderful resources, providing a stimulating lesson for both year groups. Thank you Young Writers!
L de Klerk, Radnor House Prep School See more...Children enjoyed this writing activity and they enjoyed researching their chosen animal and an opportunity to showcase their skills.
D Singh, Moorlands Primary School See more...Great company - feedback was instant and so much information provided - will definitely work with you again.
L Steventon, Marlborough Infant School See more...Fun competition. Children really enjoyed the choices of writing. Very inclusive competition.
L Kilbridge, St Roch's Primary School See more...My class really enjoyed this, particularly the idea generator craft! This made our planning very engaging.
S Luke, Earlview Primary School See more...The children LOVED doing this. They are so proud of their progress and loved writing about our school dog Maggie.
E Burns, Forest School See more...Thank you! The pupils really enjoyed this lesson and had great fun talking about their animals.
N Hume, Auchinleck Primary School See more...The children really enjoyed using the plan to help write their story.
J Cummings, St Oswald's Catholic Infant School See more...The children have thoroughly enjoyed being creative and imaginative. One child said they had "let my mind explode".
D Ellis, Woodlands Primary & Nursery School See more...Fantastic, engaging resources. The children loved using their fortune tellers.
N Donaldson, Elphinstone Primary School See more...Thank you, we are grateful these kind of competitions exist.
R Shuttleworth, Leiston Primary School See more...The children in my class loved completing this activity. Their imaginations ran wild!
K marron, St Malachy's Primary School See more...Thank you for the helpful and stimulating resources. Kids loved this theme too!
W Foster, Bayford CE Primary School See more...Motivating and fun for pupils. Great resources available - planning sheet fantastic to help imagination.
L Baker, Philiphaugh Community School See more...The kids really enjoyed this! It provided lots of fun and enjoyment in writing.
Miss McGovern, St Denis' Primary School See more...Our school loved doing this, especially those who struggle with writing stamina! Thank you.
R Mistry, OSG See more...The children were very excited and motivated to take part in the competition.
A Brookes, St Patrick's Catholic Primary School See more...The children were very excited to complete this - having seen the other children have their work published in a previous competition.
H Trevithick, Thameside Primary School See more...The children had fun with this and it gave them freedom to express themselves. Thanks!
A J Watts, Ashby-de-la-Zouch CE Primary School See more...The children enjoyed writing their sagas. It helped to have example pieces to share with the class.
L Dawson, Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School See more...Fantastic competition! Children really enjoyed writing their stories! They showed imagination, enthusiasm and love for writing in their work!
V Supolova Beardmore, St Bede's Catholic Middle School See more...What a lovely opportunity for the children. This is the 2nd competition we have taken part in and can't wait to hear the results.
H Sunner, Kings Hill Primary School See more...The children enjoyed the challenge of condensing their story into only 100 words.
M Duckworth, St Mary's RC Primary School See more...It gave our children a great purpose to draft and write. The 100 words challenged greater depth writers to think about word choice.
H Lobley, Torkington Primary School See more...The children loved the video and found the writing challenge very engaging.
L Flanagan, Victoria Lane Academy See more...A great idea to get the children thinking creatively!
S Horan, Colnbrook CE Primary School See more...Class were very engaged with the theme and lesson materials.
G Taylor, Logie Durno Primary School See more...Nice resource, children love using them and being free to write what they please.
V Grace, Astmoor Primary School See more...Great competition, my class loved the Crazy Creatures theme!
C Robinson, Whitley Chapel CE First School See more...Our students absolutely LOVED this competition - and so did we. Not only was the 'catastrophe' premise excellent for stirring a range of ideas, but the 100-word limit also compelled students to consider each word more carefully than ever.
A Tallon, King Edward VI Grammar School See more...The pupils in my creative writing class LOVED this competition. It produced a great interest in writing throughout the school!
Naomi, Penketh High School See more...Our students loved the challenge of 100 words. It made them choose carefully.
M Gibson, The John Roan School See more...Thank you for such inspiring competitions and resources! It is so wonderful to see students' work published.
R Stubbs, Heathside School See more...A fantastic competition that really helped children celebrate their individualities.
R Lyon, Barkston & Syston CE Primary School Lincolnshire See more...Excellent resources and examples included in the presentation!
M Kissane, Broad Oak Academy Weston-super-Mare See more...We love the Young Writers competitions! Keep them coming!
L Rennie, Co-Op Academy Bebington Merseyside See more...We are very excited about seeing the poems in a book!
L MacIver, Dyce School Aberdeenshire See more...The students loved completing the competition, even those who usually don’t like to write. Changing an existing story rather than starting from scratch helped them be more creative and confident.
O Vosper, Welling School Kent See more...The resources were great and gave students lots to discuss. They were really inspired by the topic!
S Moody, Nunnery Wood High School Worcester See more...A lovely creative writing opportunity to inspire pupils' imaginations - thank you!
H Greenwood, Savio Salesian College Merseyside See more...My students absolutely love your competitions. Please continue to send me more.
Mrs Russell, Outwood Academy Normanby Middlesbrough See more...Thank you for an opportunity for our young people to creatively explore issues which matter to them and the world.
Miss E Staffiere, St Paul’s Catholic College West Sussex See more...Really good topics that interest many students! Thank you.
E Lambert, William Edwards School Essex See more...Great pack with everything we need, everyone loved the activity - thank you.
B Robson, The Beacon Infant & Nursery School Bodmin See more...The children loved having the opportunity to write in different styles. It fitted with our project perfectly.
G Price, Bearbrook Combined School Buckinghamshire See more...All of the children really enjoyed getting involved in this - a nice way to celebrate who we are!
E Blades-Crawford, Wincham Community Primary School Cheshire See more...Always great ideas and opportunities for the students to convey their creative streak!
Mrs Salenzahi, Rosedale Primary School Middlesex See more...Great child-friendly competitions. It has been lovely to see the joy on their faces if they are chosen to be published.
A Toller, Junction Farm Primary School Stockton-On-Tees See more...Very engaging competition, accessible for all pupils.
L Warnock, Aldborough Primary School Ilford See more...This has been a fantastic opportunity for our school and the children loved exploring different poems & techniques.
I Amin, Romans Field School Milton Keynes See more...The children in Year 1 loved the activity!
N Kamur, St Paul's With St Michael's CE Primary School London See more...Fantastic resources for teachers to use in their poetry unit.
Ms Malik, St Mary's CE School Middlesex See more...A great way to promote and inspire poetry at home and in school.
A Allen, Hunter's Bar Infant School Sheffield See more...This is our third entry into one of your competitions! It has encouraged children to write.
Miss A Davies, Killmarsh Junior School Derbyshire See more...We have all really enjoyed the opportunity to engage with poetry!
Mrs Smith, Ashurst CE Aided Primary School West Sussex See more...Thank you for this inspiring challenge! Our Year 2 poets LOVED completing this!
H Leissle, Hampton Pre-Prep School Middlesex See more...A fantastic competition that really got the children engaged & enthused about poetry writing!
I Evans, St Cuthbert's RC Primary School Cardiff See more...The children really enjoyed the freedom. Well resourced with PowerPoints to support.
R Sunley, Knighton Mead Primary Academy Leicestershire See more...We loved doing 'This Is Me' so it's great that you offer an opportunity for a younger age group too.
Z Everett, The London Acorn School See more...Thank you for this fun opportunity. My class loved the idea to be creative and has allowed their imaginations to come to life on paper. I've read so many amazing animal diary entries.
S Shortt, St Albans RC Primary School See more...Such wonderful resources, providing a stimulating lesson for both year groups. Thank you Young Writers!
L de Klerk, Radnor House Prep School See more...Children enjoyed this writing activity and they enjoyed researching their chosen animal and an opportunity to showcase their skills.
D Singh, Moorlands Primary School See more...Great company - feedback was instant and so much information provided - will definitely work with you again.
L Steventon, Marlborough Infant School See more...Fun competition. Children really enjoyed the choices of writing. Very inclusive competition.
L Kilbridge, St Roch's Primary School See more...My class really enjoyed this, particularly the idea generator craft! This made our planning very engaging.
S Luke, Earlview Primary School See more...The children LOVED doing this. They are so proud of their progress and loved writing about our school dog Maggie.
E Burns, Forest School See more...Thank you! The pupils really enjoyed this lesson and had great fun talking about their animals.
N Hume, Auchinleck Primary School See more...The children really enjoyed using the plan to help write their story.
J Cummings, St Oswald's Catholic Infant School See more...The children have thoroughly enjoyed being creative and imaginative. One child said they had "let my mind explode".
D Ellis, Woodlands Primary & Nursery School See more...Fantastic, engaging resources. The children loved using their fortune tellers.
N Donaldson, Elphinstone Primary School See more...Thank you, we are grateful these kind of competitions exist.
R Shuttleworth, Leiston Primary School See more...The children in my class loved completing this activity. Their imaginations ran wild!
K marron, St Malachy's Primary School See more...Thank you for the helpful and stimulating resources. Kids loved this theme too!
W Foster, Bayford CE Primary School See more...Motivating and fun for pupils. Great resources available - planning sheet fantastic to help imagination.
L Baker, Philiphaugh Community School See more...The kids really enjoyed this! It provided lots of fun and enjoyment in writing.
Miss McGovern, St Denis' Primary School See more...Our school loved doing this, especially those who struggle with writing stamina! Thank you.
R Mistry, OSG See more...The children were very excited and motivated to take part in the competition.
A Brookes, St Patrick's Catholic Primary School See more...The children were very excited to complete this - having seen the other children have their work published in a previous competition.
H Trevithick, Thameside Primary School See more...The children had fun with this and it gave them freedom to express themselves. Thanks!
A J Watts, Ashby-de-la-Zouch CE Primary School See more...The children enjoyed writing their sagas. It helped to have example pieces to share with the class.
L Dawson, Newton Bluecoat CE Primary School See more...Fantastic competition! Children really enjoyed writing their stories! They showed imagination, enthusiasm and love for writing in their work!
V Supolova Beardmore, St Bede's Catholic Middle School See more...What a lovely opportunity for the children. This is the 2nd competition we have taken part in and can't wait to hear the results.
H Sunner, Kings Hill Primary School See more...The children enjoyed the challenge of condensing their story into only 100 words.
M Duckworth, St Mary's RC Primary School See more...It gave our children a great purpose to draft and write. The 100 words challenged greater depth writers to think about word choice.
H Lobley, Torkington Primary School See more...The children loved the video and found the writing challenge very engaging.
L Flanagan, Victoria Lane Academy See more...A great idea to get the children thinking creatively!
S Horan, Colnbrook CE Primary School See more...Class were very engaged with the theme and lesson materials.
G Taylor, Logie Durno Primary School See more...Nice resource, children love using them and being free to write what they please.
V Grace, Astmoor Primary School See more...Great competition, my class loved the Crazy Creatures theme!
C Robinson, Whitley Chapel CE First School See more...Our students absolutely LOVED this competition - and so did we. Not only was the 'catastrophe' premise excellent for stirring a range of ideas, but the 100-word limit also compelled students to consider each word more carefully than ever.
A Tallon, King Edward VI Grammar School See more...The pupils in my creative writing class LOVED this competition. It produced a great interest in writing throughout the school!
Naomi, Penketh High School See more...Our students loved the challenge of 100 words. It made them choose carefully.
M Gibson, The John Roan School See more...Thank you for such inspiring competitions and resources! It is so wonderful to see students' work published.
R Stubbs, Heathside School See more...A fantastic competition that really helped children celebrate their individualities.
R Lyon, Barkston & Syston CE Primary School Lincolnshire See more...Excellent resources and examples included in the presentation!
M Kissane, Broad Oak Academy Weston-super-Mare See more...We love the Young Writers competitions! Keep them coming!
L Rennie, Co-Op Academy Bebington Merseyside See more...We are very excited about seeing the poems in a book!
L MacIver, Dyce School Aberdeenshire See more...The students loved completing the competition, even those who usually don’t like to write. Changing an existing story rather than starting from scratch helped them be more creative and confident.
O Vosper, Welling School Kent See more...The resources were great and gave students lots to discuss. They were really inspired by the topic!
S Moody, Nunnery Wood High School Worcester See more...A lovely creative writing opportunity to inspire pupils' imaginations - thank you!
H Greenwood, Savio Salesian College Merseyside See more...My students absolutely love your competitions. Please continue to send me more.
Mrs Russell, Outwood Academy Normanby Middlesbrough See more...Thank you for an opportunity for our young people to creatively explore issues which matter to them and the world.
Miss E Staffiere, St Paul’s Catholic College West Sussex See more...Really good topics that interest many students! Thank you.
E Lambert, William Edwards School Essex See more...Great pack with everything we need, everyone loved the activity - thank you.
B Robson, The Beacon Infant & Nursery School Bodmin See more...The children loved having the opportunity to write in different styles. It fitted with our project perfectly.
G Price, Bearbrook Combined School Buckinghamshire See more...All of the children really enjoyed getting involved in this - a nice way to celebrate who we are!
E Blades-Crawford, Wincham Community Primary School Cheshire See more...Always great ideas and opportunities for the students to convey their creative streak!
Mrs Salenzahi, Rosedale Primary School Middlesex See more...Great child-friendly competitions. It has been lovely to see the joy on their faces if they are chosen to be published.
A Toller, Junction Farm Primary School Stockton-On-Tees See more...Very engaging competition, accessible for all pupils.
L Warnock, Aldborough Primary School Ilford See more...This has been a fantastic opportunity for our school and the children loved exploring different poems & techniques.
I Amin, Romans Field School Milton Keynes See more...The children in Year 1 loved the activity!
N Kamur, St Paul's With St Michael's CE Primary School London See more...Fantastic resources for teachers to use in their poetry unit.
Ms Malik, St Mary's CE School Middlesex See more...A great way to promote and inspire poetry at home and in school.
A Allen, Hunter's Bar Infant School Sheffield See more...This is our third entry into one of your competitions! It has encouraged children to write.
Miss A Davies, Killmarsh Junior School Derbyshire See more...We have all really enjoyed the opportunity to engage with poetry!
Mrs Smith, Ashurst CE Aided Primary School West Sussex See more...Thank you for this inspiring challenge! Our Year 2 poets LOVED completing this!
H Leissle, Hampton Pre-Prep School Middlesex See more...A fantastic competition that really got the children engaged & enthused about poetry writing!
I Evans, St Cuthbert's RC Primary School Cardiff See more...The children really enjoyed the freedom. Well resourced with PowerPoints to support.
R Sunley, Knighton Mead Primary Academy Leicestershire See more...
