The Catholic Young Writer Award 2026 attracted over one hundred entries from Catholic secondary schools and individuals across the country. Two students gained first prize; one from St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Gravesend and the other from St Peter’s Catholic High School in Wigan. Two students won second prize, both from De Lisle College in Loughborough. In third place was a student from Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley.
Runners up were from a number of schools including St Peter’s Catholic High School, St Ursula’s Convent School, Mayfield Grammar School, De Lisle College, St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Holy Cross Catholic High School and Stonyhurst College.
Sponsored by the Catholic Union Charitable Trust, the Catholic Young Writer Award was launched over 30 years ago by The Keys, the Catholic Writers’ Guild of England and Wales. The theme for the 2026 Catholic Young Writer Award was The Church’s Sacrament of Forgiveness: Why We Go to Confession. The Award was run in tandem with the Catholic Young Artist Award for primary school aged children judged by Margaret Mizen MBE, Founder of the Mizen Foundation.
Joanna Bogle of the Keys, the Catholic Writers Guild of England and Wales says: “My thanks to Antony Tyler CBE, who as Master of the Keys initiated this project many years ago and helped to make it the success that it has now become. Antony died earlier this year and it is lovely to have this Award as part of his legacy”.
Professor Peter Hindmarsh, Chair of the Catholic Union Charitable Trust says: “I am delighted that the Catholic Union Charitable Trust has supported this important award for the fourteenth year and it is fascinating to read the many varied and insightful essays on why we go to confession. Many congratulations to all those who took part and we look forward to announcing the winners at our AGM presided over by our President, Baroness Hollins, and Archbishop Mark O’Toole next month”.
Matt Barron, Headteacher at St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School says: “We are immensely proud of our winning student and his wonderful achievement. His essay demonstrates not only exceptional writing ability but also a deep understanding of the Catholic faith and the transformative power of God’s forgiveness.
At St John’s, we strive to nurture both academic excellence and spiritual growth. Our student’s success is a testament to his hard work, commitment, and thoughtful engagement with his faith. He is a wonderful ambassador for our school community, and we congratulate him wholeheartedly on this prestigious award.”
Andy McGlown, Head Teacher, St Peter’s Catholic High School says: “Congratulations to one of our students for all her hard work and receiving joint first prize. This is cause for celebration and as a school family we are delighted that our students recognise the beauty of the Sacrament of Confession”.
The theme for the Catholic Young Writer Award and the Catholic Young Artist Award 2027 will be ‘Who is Jesus?’.
Winners at Holy Cross, Chorley, with their prizes