Summer Competition

📌 Competition at a Glance

  • Who can enter: Open to all registered Echo Performing Arts Academy members.
  • Age Categories: Ages 5–7 | Ages 8–10 | Ages 10–12
  • The Task: Write an original poem or monologue about your experiences at Echo.
  • The Prize: 3x Echo Goodie Bags (official Tote Bag, Show T-shirt, sweet treats and Echo Hoodie of your choice).
  • Guest Judge: Lucy Chambers (CBBC’s Silverpoint, BBC’s Waterloo Road).
  • Closing Date: 28th August (Winners announced 5th September).
  • How to Submit: Email your written entry to echoacademyuk@gmail.com (and feel free to tag us on social media working hard on your piece!). We won’t be replying to any submissions until after the 18th August. Please don’t whats app or message any questions regarding this competition. All the information you need is within this webpage.

Terms & Conditions

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before submitting an entry. By entering the competition, participants and their parents/guardians agree to be bound by these rules.

1. The Organiser

This competition is organised and administered by Echo Performing Arts Academy.

2. Eligibility & Membership

  • Echo Members Only: The competition is strictly open to current registered members of Echo Performing Arts Academy classes in the United Kingdom.
  • Age Categories: The competition is split into three age groups:
    • Category 1: Ages 5 to 7
    • Category 2: Ages 8 to 10
    • Category 3: Ages 10 to 12
  • Parental Consent: All entries must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian on behalf of the child.
  • Echo Children Only: Please allow your child to write this themselves. We do not want parents to help with this task, it has to be the children’s ideas only. Please do not use AI to create your poem or monologue.

3. Submission Guidelines & Prompt

  • The Prompt: Children are invited to write an original poem or monologue based on their experiences at Echo! Ideas include (but are not limited to):
    • How you felt during your very first class versus how you feel now
    • How you feel before, during, and after stepping on stage for a show
    • What it feels like to perform a solo in class or be part of the Echo community
    • Spending time with friends and working together as a team
  • Format: Submissions must be sent as a written document (e.g., PDF or Word document) via email to echoacademyuk@gmail.com.
  • Social Media Tag: Parents are encouraged to tag Echo Performing Arts Academy on social media in a photo or video showing your child hard at work preparing their piece!
  • Deadline: All entries must be received via email no later than 11:59 PM on 28th August. Late entries will not be considered.
  • Originality & Respect: All work must be the child’s own original creation. In line with Echo values, all pieces must be kind, positive, and respectful in their language and ideas.

4. Judging & Winners

  • Guest Judge: All eligible entries will be judged by guest judge Lucy Chambers alongside the Echo team.
  • Criteria: Entries will be judged on creativity, passion, effort, and how well they capture the spirit of Echo, relative to the child’s age group.
  • Winner Announcement: The 3 winners will be officially announced on 5th September.
  • Decision Final: The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into regarding the results.

5. Prizes

  • Prizes are non-transferable, non-negotiable, and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives.

6. Copyright & Promotion

  • Ownership: The entrant retains full copyright ownership of their original poem or monologue.
  • Promotional Licence: By entering, parents/guardians grant Echo Performing Arts Academy permission to share, display, publish, or perform the winning/shortlisted pieces on Echo’s social media channels, website, and promotional materials.

7. Data Protection & Privacy (UK GDPR)

  • Personal details (child’s name, age, and parent contact information) collected during entry will be used solely for the administration of this competition in accordance with UK GDPR.
  • Only the child’s first name and age category will be shared publicly alongside their winning submission (e.g., “Written by Mia, Age 7”).