The Junior Perpendicular Poetry Prize

The rules:

This competition is intended for junior entrants, to help bring innovative and absurdist poetry to a younger audience.

Two Junior Prizes will be given out in the following age categories: 7-11 year olds, and 11-17 year olds.

Please write “JUNIOR ENTRY” in the subject line of your entry followed by your age.

Maximum length: One page.

If you are entering as a school, please complete the SCHOOL FORM and submit the form alongside your entries.

If you are entering by yourself, please get a parent/guardian to fill in the PERMISSION FORM and submit the form alongside your entry.

Open until: April 23rd 2026

Age range: 7 - 17 years

IDEAS FOR YOUNG POETS:

Try found poetry -  example

Try blackout poetry - example

Try visual poetry - examples

Look at poems like:

‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll

‘On The Ning Nang Nong’ by Spike Milligan

‘No 115 Dreams’ by Jackie Kay

‘you me us’ by Bridget Bond

Resource packs with more poetry activities coming soon!

DOWNLOAD SCHOOL FORM

(for school entries only)

DOWNLOAD PERMISSION FORM

(for individual entries only)

Enter here!