BcL 500 WORDS 2023/24
This year's competition was inspired by our Writer in Residence: Beth Walker. She created a box which was the stimulus for ideas. She met with all the children in school to inspire the children and to begin sharing possible ideas.
After shortlisting four children from each year group, they were invited to a special celebration evening in St Martin's Church in Blyton. Both Beth and our Chair of Governors, James Parman handed out the prizes which were donated by famous authors and illustrators up and down the country.
The overall winner was Isla L in Clover who produced a stunning piece focusing on family, mental health and the pressures of competitive sport.
BcL500 Words 2022/23
This year's writing competition was held in the autumn term and inspired by Shaun Tan's wonderful short story, Eric.
The shortlisted children were invited to All Saints' Church, Laughton for the Celebration Evening and awards were presented by Mr James Parman, our Chair of Governors.
Eric
BcL500 Words 2021/22
It's November and the start of our annual writing competition. Every child is involved in creating a story this week inspired by Max and the amazing spectacles he finds. We can't wait to see what the children produce.
Cat's Eyes!
The prompt for KS2:
The cat above is Max. He’s an ordinary cat who lives in an ordinary cat world. Or so he and you and I thought.
Max spends most of his time eating and sleeping like every other cat. Perhaps you know a cat who does exactly that.
That is until the day Max made a discovery.
Recently, Max was visited by his Great Aunt Lola; an eccentric old cat with a twitching ear and one suspicious eye.
After she left in what appeared to be a bit of a rush, Max began to tidy the guest bedroom where Aunt Lola had slept, washed, scratched and called birds names from the window.
As he approached the dressing table he noticed what appeared to be a case for spectacles. They must belong to Aunt Lola, he thought. He opened the case carefully. Inside was a pair of the most unusual looking spectacles and a pawfectly written note attached to the inside of the top of the case.
The note read:
“ My dearest nephew, Max,
It is time to pass to you something which has been in our family for generations. These spectacles were created by your great, great, great grandfather many years ago to try and bring light to the world. They have the incredible power to change a normal view into something incredible. Unbelievable.
Used well, they have brought those who have worn them the most incredible experiences.
But, be careful. In the wrong paws and worn at the wrong time...Sorry, I have to go…
Be careful…
L.”
Max took a breath, twitched his nose and scratched behind his ear. He took another deeper breath. He picked the glasses up. And he put them on.
The prompt for KS1:
The cat below is Max. He’s an ordinary cat who lives in an ordinary cat world. Or so he and you and I thought.
Max spends most of his time eating and sleeping like every other cat. Perhaps you know a cat who does exactly that.
That is until the day Max made a discovery.
Recently, Max was visited by his Great Aunt Lola; an eccentric old cat with a twitching ear and one suspicious eye.
After she left in what appeared to be a bit of a rush, Max began to tidy the guest bedroom where Aunt Lola had slept, washed, scratched and called birds names from the window.
As he approached the dressing table he noticed what appeared to be a case for spectacles. They must belong to Aunt Lola, he thought. He opened the case carefully. Inside was a pair of the most unusual looking spectacles and a pawfectly written note attached to the inside of the top of the case.
The note read:
“ My dearest nephew, Max,
It is time to pass to you something which has been in our family for generations. These spectacles were created by your great, great, great grandfather many years ago to bring light to the world. They have the incredible power to change your view. They turn the normal into something incredible.
Put them on Max and enjoy the view!”
Max took a breath, twitched his nose and scratched behind his ear. He took another deeper breath. He picked the glasses up. And he put them on. He could not believe what he saw in the fishbowl!
He had to go outside and look around!
BcL 500 Words 2019
The children have thoroughly excelled this year in producing an outstanding quality of writing based on The Lost Treasure of Caroo: The Lion of Amazonia.
At the Celebration Evening at Blyton church the shortlisted winners had a fantastic time.
The shortlisted children from each year group are pictured below. Thank you to Mrs Thornalley for presenting the prizes and to The Rabbit Hole bookshop for their kind prize.
BcL 500 Words 2018 : The Legend of the Weather Vane
Today (October 30th) children have received the prompt for this year's writing competition. Author, Jennifer Killick, worked with Mr Duke to create the idea and now it is up to the children - and adults this year - to create their adventure. Will it be set in extreme weather conditions? Or will the children time travel into the past or the future?