S6 pupil shortlisted in global essay competition

Alice G (S6) has been shortlisted in the John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize. Of all those who entered, only 16.9% of candidates were selected for the shortlist.

The John Locke Institute is named in honour of the seventeenth century Oxford philosopher and grandfather of Classical Liberalism, John Locke. The essay competition encourages young people to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style. The competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum.

A panel of senior academics from leading universities including Oxford and Princeton, under the leadership of the Chairman of Examiners, former Cambridge philosopher, Dr Jamie Whyte, judged the essays choosing their favourite from each of the seven subject categories: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology and Law. The overall Grand Prize went to the best entry of the whole competition.

Alice, an aspiring Law student who has set her sights on Oxford University and the University of Glasgow, entered the essay competition of her own volition as she thought it would be beneficial to practice writing academically before going to university and she felt it would help to strengthen her UCAS application.

She chose the following essay question within the Law category: In the last five years British police have arrested several thousand people for things they posted on social media. Is the UK becoming a police state?

Alice said:

Overall the John Locke Institute Global Essay competition has been a really beneficial experience. I learned about how to best structure an academic essay and how a good, simple structure is important in presenting arguments. More than anything it made me research a lot into the importance of placing limits on the power of the law and how to reconcile the need for security and control with the right to liberty.”

As part of being on the shortlist, Alice was invited to attend an academic conference which consisted of lectures from Oxbridge professors as well as a member of the House of Lords. Former Prime Minister, Liz Truss, attended the awards dinner and gave a speech.

Being shortlisted in this prestigious, global essay competition is a true accolade for Alice and will stand her in strong stead as she looks to her future in a career in Law, congratulations Alice!