Awards for Young Writers on Horseracing 2025
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the third year of the Awards for Young Writers on Horseracing. The awards are open to young people aged 15 and under to 23 in the UK, for entries on horseracing subjects.
All finalists and their participating settings will receive a Certificate of Participation. Thanks to the Wilmington Trust, our sponsors, there are two categories with generous prizes for winning entries:
- 16-23 years £1000 – up to 1200 words
- 15 years and under £500 – up to 700 words
New for 2025/6! The education charity, Racing to School, is delighted to support this year’s competition with a special prize for winning entries – the chance to take their class or study group for a fun, unique day of learning at the races! Find out more about their work at www.racingtoschool.co.uk. Winners will also be invited to bring their class or study group for a day visit to the National Horseracing Museum.
The closing date for entries is midnight on 19th January 2026.
Find Out More Here
The National Horseracing Museum is excited to share curricula-linked activities and resources to help you and your pupils learn more about Horseracing, including topics in Science, Local History, History, Sports Science, PE and Art.
A school trip to the National Horseracing Museum is a unique and memorable learning experience, with opportunities to meet horses, try jockey training using our racing simulator and a range of fun and interactive workshops across our five-acre site.
Can’t make it to the museum? We will bring the National Horseracing Museum to you – from an assembly delivered by our Creative Programme Manager, to pop-up displays and digital copies of source material to use in class and our popular loans boxes. We also offer CPD opportunities for teachers and digital learning sessions. Our annual essay writing competition for children and young people, The Awards for Young Writers, which aligns with the schedule of learning for local history at KS2 and GCSE Journalism, launches online every September across the East of England.
We are an Artsmark Partner and an Arts Award Centre. Please contact us if you are interested in working with us on your Artsmark or would like to take up the opportunity for a fully-funded Arts Award for your students.
NHRM is also a Children’s University Destination and we continue to support schools by providing fully-funded after school club provision wherever possible.
‘Every child is welcome, regardless of their level of need, and the staff have an excellent understanding of education and how to inspire young minds, and the next generation, to engage with our cultural heritage.’
CPD for Teachers
Teachers we need you! Join our Teacher’s Panel and have your say.
What’s involved? The teacher’s Panel meets three times a year and contributes to your CPD. Join us for tea and cake and explore our learning programmes old and new and help us to ensure that our schools programming meets the needs of our schools community. If you’re interested, please get in touch with Sarah for an informal chat at [email protected].
Learning & Schools
Essential Information
Prices:
- Self-led visit: £2.50 per child, (Please note: self-led visits must be booked in advance)
- Private Meet the Horses session: £50 for the group. Meet and greet ex-racehorses, plus a chance to explore and ask questions with our Yard team (Maximum 30 students; must be booked in advance)
- Workshops: £4.50 per child (Maximum 30 students; must be booked in advance) unless stated otherwise.
- All accompanying adults FREE
The Alborada Education Centre (funded through the generosity of The Alborada Trust) and a basement studio with cloakroom facilities are available for all learning groups.
To ensure the best experiences for groups, all educational visits must be booked in advance. To plan your visit please contact Sarah by email or call 01638 667314.
NHRM is an Artsmark Partner and an Arts Award Centre. Please contact us if you are interested in working with us on your Artsmark as we are trained to support you, or if you would like your class to complete an Arts Award with us.
NHRM is also a Children’s University Destination.
Learning & Schools
Resources for Teachers
We have a number of resources for teachers that can be downloaded and printed with optional educational activities to support school visits to the National Horseracing Museum.
These resources have been developed with KS1 and KS2 in mind but are adaptable for other age groups.
Find Out More
Learning & Schools
Self-led Visits
You are welcome to bring your group to explore at your own pace and with your own focus.
Self-led visits must be booked in advance.
Includes
- Use of basement studio to use as a base
- Self-led visit information sheet
- FREE preliminary visit for lead teacher and a colleague
- Essential visit and risk assessment information
Learning & Schools
Workshops
You can download our current brochure here.
If you are interested in working with us to develop one of our workshops especially for your school or Academy group, please contact Sarah by email or call 01638 667314 to discuss. Thank you.
