60 years in 60 words: what ‘wood’ you write?

Schools are being encouraged to enter a national writing competition spearheaded by the Woodland Trust, with pupils asked to put pen to paper and describe the life of a tree in just 60 words.

As a tie to Her Majesty’s time on the throne, children are being urged to let their imaginations run wild and describe what a tree may experience over a 60-year period – either over the past 60 years or in the next 60 years to come.

Two children will be ‘crowned’ as national winners and, in addition to winning prizes for their efforts, their respective schools will win a literary master class with guest judge and renowned author, William Fiennes, bestselling author of The Snow Geese and The Music Room. Fiennes was The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year in 2003, and in a specially arranged workshop, he will share writing hints and tips with a select number of pupils at each of the winning schools.

The winning stories will be presented to the Queen by the Woodland Trust.

Schools have until April 30 to put forward their most creative and talented entries from Primary KS2 or Secondary KS3 classes and the winners will be announced ahead of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.

Further information is available at www.jubileewoods.org.uk/writing-competition.

Schools can also apply for a free pack of trees as part of the Jubilee Woods project, each containing a Royal Oak sapling.