Essay Prizes

Our Upper Sixth students have been commended in a number of prestigious essay competitions.

Ellie has continued South Hampstead’s strong track record in the John Locke Institute’s global essay prize, shortlisted as one of this year’s finalists in the philosophy category with her response to the question Should I be held responsible for what I believe? Ellie is taking A Levels in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Philosophy & Religion, and hopes to study PPE next year.

Sophia was runner-up in this year’s Oxford Scientist Schools Competition on the theme of evolution. Her essay focused on iron’s role as an evolutionary stressor, in particular its link to the evolution of bacteria – read it here.  In a record-breaking year for submissions, Sophia’s essay was selected by a panel of Senior Tutors from the University of Oxford. Currently studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, Sophia plans to take a gap year before studying Chemistry at university.

In the Northeastern University London Essay Competition Awards, Zara was highly commended as a top 10 finalist for her essay in response to the title Is it fair to say that literature is another name for language with no practical use? She explored the functionality versus the aesthetics of literature, particularly in oral traditions, looking at texts including Beowulf and Homer.  Zara, who is studying English Literature, History and Psychology, hopes to study English at university next year.

Congratulations to all our students on their success.