Worcestershire Young Poet Laureate competition is run jointly by Severn Arts and Worcestershire Libraries, celebrating the talented voices of young local poets by inviting them to submit their written poetry for the opportunity to perform at the Young Poet Laureate final. 

The competition is open to children and young people in school years 6-13 who live or study in Worcestershire. The competition is judged across 3 age categories: school years 6 – 8, 9 – 11 and 12 – 13. If your poem is shortlisted, you will be invited to perform in the Young Poet Laureate final. At this event, a winner from each age category will be selected by a panel of judges. Of the three age category winners, one young person will be awarded the title of Worcestershire's Young Poet Laureate.

As Young Poet Laureate you could… 

• Have your work published  

• Receive mentoring from professional poets  

• Gain opportunities to perform and share your work  

Please note: 

• Poems must be produced by an individual. Poems cannot be produced collaboratively by a group, for example in a classroom session.

• Applicants must be in school years 6-13 and living or studying in Worcestershire.

• If you are a teacher submitting poetry created by individuals at your school, and the submitted poem is shortlisted, we will ask for your help to contact the parent/carers of the shortlisted applicant.  

• All shortlisted applicants will be asked to perform two poems at the Young Poet Laureate final. This will include the shortlisted poem and a second poem which could be something the applicant has already written and be about any subject area. 

2026 Competition

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