Topic - Schools and Colleges
‘In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act’.
The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual writing competition for young people in the UK. Every year, a theme is set inspired by the writings of the author and journalist, George Orwell, asking entrants to think about the world around them and issues which matter today. This year, the theme is ‘Truth’ and the launch event will set students up to write a strong entry for the 2026 competition, as well as providing context for their studies at GCSE and A Level.
During the event, students will participate in workshops designed to broaden their ideas around the theme and expand their skills in their chosen subject area: journalism/broadcasting, screenwriting, or game design.
Students will engage in workshops and Q&As with influential people, designed to provide context into Orwell’s writing and ideals, which will not only help with submissions for the Orwell Foundation Youth Prize, but also for Level 3 studies.
The 2025 Orwell Foundation Youth Prize Launch saw students from the north-east engaging in subject sessions, and many who attended the launch event went on to apply for the Youth Prize. We are excited to welcome The Orwell Foundation back to the university in 2026.
On booking, school groups and individuals will need to confirm which session they would like to attend on the day:
- Flash Fiction
- Journalism/Broadcasting
- Game Design
- Screenwriting
Each session has a capacity and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have any questions, please contact student.recruitment@sunderland.ac.uk.