Entries have now closed for the 16th Young Poets Competition and I’m delighted to say we received 194 entries from 13 schools, some of them entering for the first time. It is rewarding to see this initiative reach such a milestone; as the number of entries grows across the schools.
The judging has taken place and the winners have been informed, though they don’t yet know which level of prize they will receive. This will be revealed at the prizegiving ceremony at 4.30pm on Friday 11 September 2026 in St Michael & All Angels Church, Bath Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick, London W4 1LW.
The ceremony will be hosted by poet and Hounslow Community Development Officer Christopher Jarvis. Everybody Reads bookshop is supplying the prizes.
Admission is free but you will need a ticket to attend. These are available here.
This Year’s Theme: “Space” 🪐
While this theme was a suggestion and it provided a spark for many of the students’ imaginations.
The Details:
- Eligibility: Open to poets in School Years 3 – 7.
- Deadline: Thursday 4 June 2026. We hope the submission date gives you sufficient time to build poetry-writing into your summer schedule.
- Originality: To maintain the integrity of the competition, we ask for your support in ensuring all entries are the students’ own original work, completed without adult, teacher, or AI assistance.
- Format: Poems must be a maximum of 25 lines and fit on 1 side of A4 portrait paper.
- Entry Forms: Please download on eof these entry forms: Individual or Schools.
- Rules: Download here.
Charmaine Stone
Administrator Chiswick Book Festival Young People’s Poetry Competition
Poetry@chiswickbookfestival.net