KES STUDENTS SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS GLOBAL ESSAY PRIZE
Six Year 13 pupils at King Edward's School have been shortlisted for the prestigious John Locke Global Essay Prize, one of the world's leading academic essay competitions for young people.
This year's competition attracted 100,227 entrants from 183 countries, with only the top 17.5% of eligible submissions reaching the official shortlist. Essays are judged by senior academics from leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton and Stanford.
The competition spans ten disciplines: Economics, History, International Relations, Law, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Public Policy, Science & Technology and Theology. Students are invited to explore complex and often challenging questions that extend well beyond the school curriculum.
Our six finalists tackled a range of thought-provoking topics, including:
- Technology now allows personalised pricing. If this came to be widely used, what effects should we expect?
- Does foreign aid help or hurt poor people?
- What consolations does philosophy offer?
- Is the right to self-determination absolute?
- Is democracy in crisis?
Their success reflects the intellectual curiosity, independent scholarship and depth of thinking that characterise KES Sixth Form. Through opportunities structured through the Pathways Programme, pupils are encouraged to pursue interests beyond their A Level studies, engage with contemporary debates and develop the habits of enquiry that prepare them for higher education and future careers.
Luke Benedict, Head of Sixth Form, said: “These essays embody the academic curiosity at the heart of our Sixth Form. Away from the prescriptions of any curriculum, and with total independence, these students have spent their time wondering, discovering and enriching their understanding of disciplines about which they harbour such passion.”
Our finalists will now await the announcement of the winners at the Global Essay Prize Awards Dinner in London this October.
