- Black History Month 2026

National Black History Month Essay Writing Competition 2026

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Word count guidance:

Primary (KS2): 300–500 words
Secondary (KS3–KS4): 600–900 words
Post-16 / Higher Education: 1,000–1,500 words
Adult / Community: 800–1,500 words

Write clearly and in your own words. Strong essays usually have a clear structure, relevant examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.

Essay Question

Primary (KS2): Write about a Black person who has inspired you or your community.

Secondary (KS3–KS4): How do everyday Black experiences shape British history and society? Use examples to support your answer.

Post-16 / Higher Education: Why is it important to recognise everyday Black history alongside well-known historical figures? Support your answer with examples or research.

Adult / Community (18+): What does “Everyday Black History in Britain” mean today, and why should it be recognised?

Please select the essay question that applies to your category.

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Competition Rules(Required)

I have read and accept the Competition Rules

Organisers: The organisers of the competition are BlackHistoryMonth.org.uk.

Eligibility: The competition is open to all primary school, secondary school, college, and university students across the UK, as well as members of the public.

Consent: Entrants under 16 years old must have the consent of a parent or guardian to participate.

Entry Submission: Each entrant may submit one original essay.

Word Count Guidance:
Primary (KS2): 300–500 words
Secondary (KS3–KS4): 600–900 words
Post-16 / Higher Education: 1,000–1,500 words
Adult / Community (18+): 800–1,500 words

Original Work: All entries must be the original work of the entrant. No plagiarised content will be accepted. Submission of AI-generated work is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.

New Work: Submitted entries must not have been previously published, self-published, shared on a website, posted on social media, broadcast, or recognised as a winner in any other competition before the submission deadline.

Language: Essays must be written in English.

Changes: Essays entered into the competition are final and may not be altered or modified under any circumstances.

Theme: Essays should respond to the competition theme: “Everyday Black History in Britain” and must answer the question set for the entrant’s selected category.

Submission Method: Essays must be submitted through our official submission form. Entries sent through the post or by any other method will not be accepted.

Deadline: All entries must be submitted by midnight (GMT UK time), 30 May 2026.

Judging: Essays will be evaluated by a panel appointed by the organisers. The judges’ decisions are final. Neither the judges nor the organisers will engage in any correspondence regarding the judging process.

Prizes / Announcement: Selected winning and highly commended essays will be published in Black History Month Magazine 2026 (September edition). Winners will be publicly announced during Black History Month 2026.

Rights: The author retains the copyright for their essay. However, by entering, participants grant the organiser the right to publish, broadcast, and share selected essays (in full or edited extracts) for promotional and educational purposes, including publication in Black History Month Magazine 2026. For entrants under 16, names may be anonymised where appropriate.

Disclaimer: The organisers are not responsible for entries not received due to technical issues or any other reason.

Queries: For any questions or concerns, please contact us using the contact form on the website.

Parents and guardians: Please review these terms with your child before they submit their entry. Ensure they understand the rules and feel confident in their participation.

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