2nd December 2025
Does your school magazine or podcast qualify for Shine?
Chances are your students are already creating great media.
Is it the genesis of a school magazine built from writing they’re doing as part of the curriculum? Are they making docu-video at home which they’re talking about putting on TikTok? Is someone recording a podcast episode the class reckons is worthy of Spotify? Inevitably it’s work that’s exciting, evolving or experimental. Something that I hear about happening at secondary schools across the UK every term.
If everyone worked together, it could be one project that blends teamwork, creativity and young leadership. That group effort could take them places: how about all the way to London for prize-day at the Shine School Media Awards 2026?
So you might ask, what makes a great school media project and potential Shine entry…
- everything from news and features to creative writing and artwork
- a clear student-led editorial voice
- production quality that reflects the resources available to you (professional printing isn’t necessary; thoughtful layout is)
- a genuine attempt to tell stories that matter to your school community
Across all categories, our judges look for the same thing: evidence that students made creative and editorial decisions, put in effort and created something their peers would engage with.
Not sure if your publication qualifies? Register with Shine and get in touch. We’ve seen everything, we answer questions all the time and are genuinely here to help.
Your students might already have created something award-winning.
They just need you to submit it.
Entry deadline: 1st May 2026
Questions? Email us direct at shine@stationers.org
Best wishes,
Richard Chapman
Chair, Shine School Media Awards