By Mrs Woodhouse (English Coordinator)

This term, Year 5 took part in the GSA National Writing Competition, inspired by the thought-provoking theme “Robot Awakens.” A special mention goes to Youran Q, who progressed to the final six writers nationally, and an extra special congratulations to Annabelle W, who achieved an outstanding place in the final three. BGS was the only school in the country to have two pupils represented in the final six, a remarkable achievement that reflects the talent, imagination and dedication of our young writers. 

The competition challenged pupils to imagine a world in which a robot becomes aware of itself and begins to question its purpose, identity and place in society. Through this creative writing experience, pupils explored character development, descriptive language, dialogue and the moral questions surrounding artificial intelligence. They learned how authors create emotion, build tension and engage readers through carefully chosen vocabulary and imaginative storytelling.

At BGS, we are committed to providing opportunities that both support and stretch every learner. Through Challenge and Extend opportunities such as this competition, pupils are encouraged to apply the skills developed in the classroom in authentic contexts, think creatively, take intellectual risks and strive for excellence. The success of our Year 5 writers reflects not only their talent and determination but also our commitment to nurturing ambitious, confident young authors who are willing to challenge themselves beyond the curriculum.”

To support the girls in developing their writing, in addition to their classroom lessons, Year 5 also benefited from being able to attend a Writing Drop-In Clinic, where they could share ideas, refine drafts, receive feedback and discuss ways to strengthen their writing.

You can read Annabelle’s and Youran’s imaginative pieces here.