Catholic Young Writer Award 2026

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Ikechukwu, a Year 9 student, has been named a national winner of the Catholic Young Writer Award 2026, organised by the Catholic Union.

The competition attracted over 100 entries from students across England and Wales, with two students being awarded first prize. This year's theme was The Church's Sacrament of Forgiveness: Why We Go to Confession. Ikechukwu's exceptional essay stood out for its insight, depth of understanding and thoughtful reflection on the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Ikechukwu concluded his essay by writing: “Through this sacrament, we are continually drawn back into the light and life of grace, reminded that true freedom begins with honesty before God.”

As a national winner, Ikechukwu received a prize of £50, together with a certificate, rosary and a book in recognition of his outstanding achievement.

Mr Barron commented in a press statement following the official announcement published in the Catholic Education Service (CES) Schools Newsletter, October 2026:

“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."

This essay competition was sponsored by the Catholic Union Charitable Trust. This award was launched more than three decades ago by The Keys, the Catholic Writers’ Guild of England and Wales, and will continue next year. We hope more students at St. John’s will participate when the competition opens in 2027. The theme for the Catholic Young Writer Award and the Catholic Young Artist Award 2027 will be ‘Who is Jesus’.