Terms of Reference – OPFCC Christmas Card Competition

Purpose

The Christmas Card Competition invites primary school children across Cumbria to design a festive card on the theme of “Sharing Christmas Together and Supporting Communities.” The competition aims to increase awareness of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and the vital role of policing and fire services, while promoting community spirit and creativity among young people.

Eligibility

• Open to all primary and infant schools within the Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness council areas.

• Entries must be original artwork created solely by the child or class.

• One entry per child.

Entry Format

• Entries should be submitted on A4 or A5 paper (portrait or landscape).

• Any medium may be used (e.g. pencils, paints, collage, digital printouts).

• Physical entries should be clearly labelled with the child’s first name, school name, and council area.

• Schools may submit entries on behalf of pupils.

Submission and Key Dates

• Launch date: Schools informed of competition on 06/10/2025

• Closing date: Schools to return cards by Thursday 4 December

• Winners announced: W/C Monday 8 December

• Late entries will not be considered.

Consent

• All entries must be accompanied by school consent confirming permission for the child to participate and for their design/name/school to be used in publicity.

• No personal addresses, phone numbers or email details will be shared.

Judging

• Entries will be judged by a panel from the OPFCC.

• Judging criteria

• Creativity and originality

• Relevance to the theme “Supporting Communities and Sharing Christmas Together”

• Effort shown

• One winner will be selected from the Cumberland area and one from the Westmorland & Furness area.

Prizes

• Each winner will receive a professional art kit worth £45.

• Winning designs will be professionally printed as the OPFCC’s official Christmas card.

• Winners may also receive a certificate of achievement, with runners-up recognised where appropriate.

• The school of the winning child will also receive a visit from the Police and Fire Service where they can experience seeing what it is like sitting in a fire engine and police car and get to meet Police Officers and Firefighters as well as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen.

Publication and Media

• By entering, parents/guardians consent to the OPFCC using the winning designs for promotional purposes (digital, print, website, social media and press).

• Children’s first names, school names and council area may be included in publicity.

• Any photographs of winners used in publicity will require additional parental consent.

Data Protection

• Personal details will be managed in line with OPFCC safeguarding and data protection policies.

• Entries and personal data will be used solely for the purpose of the competition and securely destroyed/returned afterwards.

Discretion

• The OPFCC reserves the right to cancel, amend or substitute prizes if circumstances require.

• The decision of the judging panel is final

Entry details

• All entries must be returned to the OPFCC by Thursday 4 December through either email at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or by post at:

Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

1-2 Carleton Hall

Penrith

CA10 2AU