A guide for headteachers and school leaders

< 500 Words < Everything about 500 Words

Lucy Coy, co-founder of HeadteacherChat and previous school leader, shares her thoughts on how headteachers can embrace 500 Words this year and the benefits it can bring to your school.

Tell us about HeadteacherChat?

As experienced school leaders, we knew school leadership should be connected, creative, and inspiring – but it didn’t always feel that way. That’s why we created HeadteacherChat® – a vibrant, energising community where school leaders, senior staff, and planners come together to swap ideas, share their passion, and lift each other up.

The BBC 500 Words Competition embodies so much of what we value: creativity, confidence, and the joy of learning. By taking part, we’re not just encouraging pupils to write – we’re uniting leaders and teachers in a shared mission to inspire young storytellers, celebrate their achievements, and make literacy a source of excitement across our schools.

Together, we’re building something powerful: a connected way to lead where challenges turn into solutions, confidence grows, and the brilliant things happening in our classrooms are celebrated every single day.

Why does HeadteacherChat support the 500 Words Competition?

Because storytelling is powerful. It builds confidence, fuels imagination, and helps children make sense of the world. Writing gives children a voice, and that matters.

We’ve seen how excited pupils become when they’re encouraged to write for the sheer joy of it. One of our favourite moments as teachers was listening to children eager to read us their stories. The magic of teaching stays with you forever.

The BBC 500 Words Evaluation Report 2025 confirms this impact:“500 Words brings creativity, literacy, confidence building and enthusiasm into the classroom – ‘Fun for children taking part’ was a significantly increased reason for teachers to engage. With ‘encouraging creativity’, ‘building writing skills’ and ‘boosting an interest and enthusiasm for writing’, being highlighted as some of the educational benefits and reasons why teachers engaged and encouraged students to enter.” (500 Words Evaluation Report 2025)

Why should schools get involved?

It celebrates a love of stories and writing across your school.
It promotes the teaching of writing skills and helps children enhance their creative writing ability and enjoyment.
It fosters creativity and encourages children to use their imagination to explore unique story ideas and concepts.
It introduces children to the magic of a good story, allowing them to explore other worlds and ignite their imagination.
It’s a great way to celebrate children’s writing and to showcase their work.
It’s an opportunity to explore different genres such as adventure, mystery, fantasy and more.
It’s accessible for all, and actively promotes diversity and inclusion.

A quote that reads: "The children always love taking part in 500 Words. It's a great way to get the children engaged and enthusiastic about writing within a real project, with low stakes and big prizes. I'd recommend all heads to encourage their teachers to get involved, I have no doubt they'll be impressed with what their children come up with!" and a picture of Dave Mcpartlin — Image caption,
Dave McPartlin, Headteacher – Flakefleet Primary school and Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer contestant

What are the benefits of being involved as a school?

Start the beginning of the year by celebrating children’s writing and instilling a love of stories.
Gain a snapshot of your children’s writing at the beginning of the school year.
Schools with 50% free school meals (or higher) that submit entries will receive a £75 National Book Token. Once the competition closes on Friday 7 November, the BBC will notify eligible schools.
Be a part of the incredible research being carried out by the Oxford University Press, who have collected almost a million stories since the competition began. Their research helps teachers understand what children are interested in – from politics to world events, to celebrities and football – and how that is changing over time.

Can I involve my whole school?

Yes! Whether it's one class or every pupil from Year 1 to Year 6 – the more the better.

You’ll need to:

Collect parental and pupil consent.
Submit each entry via the BBC 500 Words site (any adult with access can do this).Think of it as a brilliant way to show what your pupils are capable of.