Winners Announced at Windsor Castle
The BBC’s 500 Words competition has revealed its winners, showcasing the creativity of young writers across the UK. This year, the competition received more than 46,500 entries from children aged 5 to 11.
The winners were announced during a special Grand Final held at Windsor Castle, with notable readers including Barney Walsh, Jodie Whittaker, and Sara Cox. The competition is divided into two age categories: 5-7 and 8-11, with gold, silver, and bronze awards presented in each.
Celebrated Young Authors
This year’s gold winners are Zuren Zhang for the story “Life on Mars” in the 5-7 category and Maya Ukwubiwe for “Strings of Midnight” in the 8-11 category. Other winners include Muhammed-Da’oud Khan and Ariadne Elena Livas, who took home silver awards, while Harry Hart and Annalise Ikeasomba received bronze.
The judges, including renowned figures such as Sir Lenny Henry and Malorie Blackman, praised the imagination and creativity displayed by the finalists. “Every year, BBC 500 Words reminds us just how extraordinary children’s imaginations are,” said Cerys Griffiths, highlighting the talent of this year’s participants.
Impact of the Competition
As part of the celebration, the winning stories will be published in a special BBC 500 Words winners’ book produced by Oxford University Press. Additionally, gold winners will receive 500 books for schools to encourage reading and writing among their peers.
Reflecting on the event, Sara Cox remarked, “I just love that Stew and Pidd are so brave because they weren’t sure what they were getting themselves into, but they just went for it. I think we can all learn from that, so well done Zuren.”
As the competition continues to inspire young writers, it also marks a significant moment in the literary calendar, with the 2026 event set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of A. A. Milne’s beloved stories.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding future plans for the competition, but the enthusiasm among participants and readers alike suggests a bright future for young literary talent in the UK.