Returning for a third consecutive year, the RED (Recognise, Enthuse & Develop) Writing Competition proved to be yet another huge success. Since launching in 2018, each year, this cross college event encourages budding linguists from across all subjects and levels to enter the prestigious writing competition, to develop their creativity and literacy skills. As well as offering a chance to win amazing prizes, and this year was no exception with the winner receiving the opportunity to have their story published in the Sentinel! 

But, it’s not as simple as writing a story of your choosing. Entrants had to write a short story, no more than 800 words to a predefined set of rules. Not only that, but as part of the City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, the theme for this years’ writing competition was 50, and so students had to choose from one of the below four titles:

• 50 Not Out
• Half Century 
• Since 1970
• In the Year 2070

Once all entries had been submitted they were then judged by a panel of expert judges, including special guest Catriona Mowat who studied English and Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow and went on to work internationally teaching English in Finland, Madrid, South Africa, Ghana and India to name a few. 

The RED Event was open to all students across the Sixth Form College, after receiving 50 entries in total, the long and thorough judging process was to begin. We are pleased to announce that there were several winners who received awards for their Outstanding Contributions: Lily Massey, Madison Eaton, Poppy Wilson, Jess Banner and Rebekah Marsh, each receiving  fantastic feedback from the judges who remarked on how ‘impressed’ they were by the stories and that the ‘level of description’ really made these pieces stand out, alongside these fantastic comments, each winner also received Amazon vouchers.

The overall winner however, completely took the competition by storm, having created a compelling story which moved each and every judge, forcing many to take a moment and reflect on its content which, was simply outstanding. It was a pleasure to announce that Salimah Malik and her heartening story- Back to 1970 is the 2020 RED Event Overall Winner. 

Upon announcing the winner, the Judges remarked that this piece ‘stood out from the others and moved each and every judge, with it’s intelligent response to the 50 theme and a genuinely raw and honest piece of writing, there was barely a dry eye on the judging panel.’ 

Events like this allow our students to fall in love with writing, to express themselves and to experiment with techniques they have developed through their studies which they can only expand as their studies continue. 

Lucy Twigg, English Teacher at the City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College commented ‘The standard of entries received this year has exceeded all expectations, especially the creativity and incorporation of the 50 theme. We have thoroughly enjoyed reading them all and would like to say a huge well done to everyone who took part.’