St Mary’s Students Celebrate BBC 500 Words First Round Success!

We are thrilled to announce that two of our talented Year Six students have made it through to the next stage of the BBC 500 Words competition, run by the Reading Agency.

The Pathway to Nowhere by Mae, Year 6
Wheelbarrow by Day, Superhero by Night by Mia, Year 6

Out of tens of thousands of entries nationwide, only around 5,000 stories progress to the second round, so this is an incredible achievement. Mae and Mia will find out in January if their stories have been shortlisted for the next stage.

We caught up with Mae and Mia to hear about their experiences and inspirations behind their stories.

Mae described her story as a “scary, mysterious prologue,” featuring a 12-year-old girl named Betty who uncovers secrets in a broken-down warehouse. Mae’s favourite character is the mysterious man who adds suspense and intrigue to the tale. She shared that the story came together surprisingly quickly, just under an hour from idea to final draft.

Mae hopes her story will captivate readers and maybe even give them a little fright. While she dreams of becoming a scientist in the future, her storytelling skills show a creative flair that could inspire books alongside her scientific ambitions.

Mia brought imagination and humour to the competition with her story about a wheelbarrow that transforms into a superhero. Her favourite character is naturally the wheelbarrow itself, playful, silly, and heroic all at once. Mia explained that her story ideas came to her organically and were shaped quickly, highlighting her natural storytelling talent. When she grows up, Mia dreams of becoming an Olympic gymnast, a goal that clearly reflects her determination and energy.

Both students admitted that they were pleasantly surprised when they found out their stories had progressed, and both are eager to see how their writing journeys continue. They also credited their growth as writers to the support and encouragement they’ve received at St Mary’s, especially throughout Year 6.

We are incredibly proud of Mae and Mia for their achievements, creativity, and dedication. Their stories remind us of the power of imagination and the excitement that writing can bring. We look forward to sharing the news in January about whether they have been shortlisted!