Judge 'impressed and excited' by this year's Richard Hillary Essay Competition entries

The winners of the annual Richard Hillary Essay Competition have been announced.

This prestigious annual event is named after Old Salopian Richard Hillary and is modelled on the historic competition undertaken to select Fellows of All Souls College, Oxford, said by some to be the toughest exam in the world. It provides an opportunity for Sixth Formers to use their creative skills pitting their wits over one hour against a single-word unseen essay title.

This year’s title was ‘Object’. With over 30 entrants, there were some excellent essays, with six being shortlisted.

This year’s external judge, Amy Beashel, Shropshire-based author, says “It was a great pleasure to read every single piece. I was both impressed and excited by their thoughts and their creativity in expressing them.” She went on to say that the winning essay was “emotive without being saccharine and crafted without being contrived. What also impressed me was the arc of the piece, which is not easy to manage in timed conditions, especially when the ‘story’ isn’t fiction and the structure isn’t that of a more academic essay.”

Overall Winner

Lilith P (QEH, LVI)

Winner Lilith P

Runner Up

Frances T-T (EDH, LVI)

Highly Commended

James M (O, UVI)

Kit S (SH, LVI)

Dr Kowenicki,

Deputy Head (Academic)