Entry Terms & Conditions

THE AWARDS

1. There will be six winning entries of The Atom Learning Young Author Award. There will be 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners for two categories: ages 7-9 & ages 10-11 (age at point of award close: 18th September 2022). Each winning writer will receive a prize for themselves and also a prize for their school. Please note that the prizes are the same for both categories.

2. 1st place entries will win a 2-night trip to Disneyland Paris for a family of four. The trip must be taken before 18th September 2023 excluding the Christmas holiday period (5th December – 3rd January). Travel from the UK, accommodation and park entry expenses will be covered, and families will also receive £500 spending money to cover food and other costs. No other provision will be made. Winners will also receive a stack of books, and have their winning story illustrated by a professional illustrator. 1st place entries will also win £2,500 prize money for their school.

3. 2nd place entries will win an overnight stay at London Zoo for a family of four, including free entry into ZSL London Zoo for two days either side of your night's stay. Travel to the Zoo from the family home (if within the UK) will also be covered. The trip must be taken before 18th September 2023 and can be booked for any ‘Family night’ at the Zoo. 2nd place entries will also receive a stack of books. 2nd place entries will also win £1000 prize money for their school.

4. 3rd place entries will win a £250 voucher for Virgin Experience Days. 3rd place entries will also receive a stack of books. 3rd place entries will also win £500 prize money for their school.

ELIGIBILITY

1. The Atom Learning Young Author Award is open to all children aged 7 to 11 years old on the submission deadline (11:59pm (BST) 18th September 2022). Entrants must be residents of the United Kingdom. Proof of identity and eligibility may be requested. Entries must be submitted via our online entry form by the parent/guardian of the writer or by the writer with an adult’s permission (i.e. parent, guardian or teacher). Writers can only enter individually and not as part of a team.

2. The writer’s story must not be more than five hundred words.

3. The story must be written by the child and be an original piece of fiction that has not been published elsewhere. Every submission must be the child’s own work, and they must not be aided by an adult or another child. Submission of the entry form confirms that the entry has been written by a child aged between 7-11 and they have not been aided by anyone else. Any entries written with the assistance of an adult will be disqualified.

4. Every child can only make one entry to the award. If multiple entries are made, only the first received entry will be considered by judges.

5. All entries must be made in English.

6. All entrants must supply all details required and comply with all award rules to be eligible.

JUDGING

1. All entries are judged on the following:

• Quality of writing and story structure

• Creativity, ingenuity and imagination

• Use of language & grammatical accuracy

• The writer’s ability to engage the reader

The Atom Learning Young Author Award is judged as follows:

Stage 1: All entries are read and judged anonymously by at least two readers. Readers are from a mixture of backgrounds, with literary expertise, and selected from across Atom Learning and our networks. The best twenty stories per category will be put forward to three judges.

Stage 2: Our three judges will meet to discuss the merits of each story, and agree on the winning entries.

1. Winning writers will be contacted by email or telephone, via their parent or guardian. We will contact the winner’s current school directly in order to deliver their prize.

2. Winners will be announced on 31st October 2022 (subject to change). A selection of stories that were commended by the judges may be by published on our website or social media. By entering The Atom Learning Young Author Award, the writer agrees to the publication of their work on Atom Learning channels.

3. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The judging will be fair and independent.

4. Ineligible, indecent or fraudulent entries will be disqualified. If the story has troubling content, in accordance with the Atom Learning Safeguarding Policy, we may seek advice or insight from the NSPCC.

ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION

1. Entries sent in by post are ineligible. Entries via our entry form will receive an automated acknowledgement.

2. An adult who submits or approves an entry for a writer shall be deemed by the act of ticking the check box and providing their contact details on the entry form to have obtained the writer’s permission and approval of all terms and conditions contained in these Terms and Conditions. If such an adult has failed to do so, Atom Learning may disqualify the entry and/or reclaim any prize.

3. Atom Learning can refuse entry to the Award for any reason it decides is reasonable. Atom Learning reserves the right to cancel this Award at any stage, if circumstances arise outside of its control or for any other reason Atom Learning deems reasonable.

4. The writer and their parent/guardian understands and agrees that Atom Learning is not responsible for any loss or damage in relation to this award, to the fullest extent under the law.

5. These rules and the entry submitted shall form a contract which is governed by the laws of England and the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

COPYRIGHT

1. Writers keep the copyright to their stories but grant a perpetual non-exclusive royalty-free licence to Atom Learning for all uses in all media.

2. Winning stories may be published on the websites of Atom Learning, our partners, national media or other content providers to celebrate your success and promote the award.