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Rhianna Pratchett Joins V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27 as Judge

award · 2026-10-18

Rhianna Pratchett, a renowned games writer celebrated for her work on titles such as Tomb Raider and Overlord, has been selected as a judge for the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27. She launched her career as a story editor on Beyond Divinity and earned a BAFTA nomination in 2007 for Heavenly Sword, followed by a Writers' Guild of Great Britain award for Overlord in 2008. Pratchett is eager to see students' creative solutions to real-world challenges. The themes for 2026–27—Simplify, Empower, and Nurture—aim to enhance accessibility and build confidence. She urges participants to think outside the box and remain inquisitive. Registration is currently open for students in years 7, 8, and 9 at state schools in England, with resources available on the V&A website.

Key facts

  • Rhianna Pratchett will judge the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27
  • Pratchett worked on Tomb Raider, Mirror's Edge and Overlord
  • She received a BAFTA nomination in 2007 for Heavenly Sword
  • She won a Writers' Guild of Great Britain Best Videogame Script award the following year for Overlord
  • She began her career as a story editor on Beyond Divinity
  • The 2026–27 themes are Simplify, Empower and Nurture
  • Entries are open to years 7, 8 and 9 student groups at state schools in England
  • Teacher and Student Toolkits and a theme inspiration pack are on the V&A website

Entities

Artists

  • Rhianna Pratchett

Institutions

  • V&A
  • V&A Innovate
  • BAFTA
  • Writers' Guild of Great Britain
  • Film 4
  • 03 Productions
  • Jim Henson Company
  • Bristol Eye Hospital
  • NHS

Locations

  • England
  • Bristol
  • United Kingdom

Sources