This American Politics Group of the Political Studies Association and the Schools Programme of the Financial Times are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural FT-APG A Level Essay Competition.
This competition saw entries from more than a dozen schools and colleges, with stiff competition in all categories.
The prize winners were as follows:
- Best overall essay: Matthew Fong, Tonbridge School
- Best argument: Eleanor Carney, Godolphin and Latymer School
- Most original essay: Charlie Hawkins, Eastbourne College
- Best use of evidence (joint winner): Ifeoluwakiishi Bayo-Awonaike, Christ’s Hospital
- Best use of evidence (joint winner): Zac Woodcock, Brighton College
- Best discussion of a social problem: Caitlin Arthur, St Mary’s Catholic School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Speaking to the success of the competition APG Chair Dafydd Townley said:
‘Everyone who entered the competition should be immensely proud of themselves. The quality of the essays was outstanding and illustrates that the future of political studies in the UK is very much healthy. Congratulations to the winners! You have set a high standard for next year’s entrants. We are confident that your peers will rise to the challenge.’
Placing the competition in the context of the APG and project partners, Vice Chair Katie Pruszynski said:
‘At its heart, the APG is a community dedicated to the study of American politics, history and culture and the enormous impact they have on the world. This competition has shown just how much interest there is among young people to engage with the subject. The standard of all the entries was very impressive and we look forward to working with the Financial Times and the Political Studies Association again next year. We can’t wait to see what it brings.’
Andrew Jack, Global Education Editor for the Financial Times said:
‘It was great to see high quality reflections and writing from students on American politics, showing their interest, deep reading and critical thinking on such am important topic.’
Commenting on the essay competition, Lead Organiser Pete Finn of the University of Greenwich said:
‘Running the inaugural FT-APG A Level Essay Competition has been a blast! Huge thanks are due to all the students who submitted, and the many (many!) people involved at the American Politics Group, the Political Studies Association, and the Financial Times. To have such strong entries for the first round of the competition was great, and massive congratulations to all the winners. Huge praise is also due to all the academics and teachers involved in the marking and the FT-APG Online A Level Conference in February, as well as the A Level teachers and tutors who helped their students to submit the competition. I’m really excited to see what happens with the competition next year. Watch this space!’
Congratulating Matthew Fong on his success, James Priory, Head Teacher of Tonbridge School, said:
‘Matthew is an ambitious student who takes a strong interest in US politics and brings a keen critical edge to discussion about global current affairs. It is exciting to see him embracing the challenge of such a prestigious competition and we are incredibly proud of his achievement.’
Flora Bailey, Head of Politics at Godolphin and Latymer School said of Eleanor Carney:
‘We are delighted that Eleanor has been awarded a prize for ‘Best Argument’ in the FT-APG A Level Essay Competition. Eleanor found the process hugely engaging and the resources provided by the project were invaluable in shaping her approach. It was brilliant to have an opportunity for A Level Politics students to go beyond the confines of the curriculum and mark scheme and to be able to write in a more exploratory way.’
You can find the essay from Eleanor: here
Praising Charlie Hawkins, Tom Lawson, Headmaster of Eastbourne College, said:
‘I am delighted that an Eastbourne College pupil won the ‘most original essay’ prize in the FT-APG A-level Essay Competition. Charlie Hawkins’ well-researched piece drew on multiple authoritative sources, including of course the Financial Times, to demonstrate the parallels between Donald Trump’s rhetoric and that of Richard Nixon, among others. Deftly combining theoretical frameworks and apposite examples, his essay was worthy of this prestigious national competition. All our pupils enjoyed the stretch provided by this competition which was ideal for ambitious sixth-formers taking A-level or otherwise interested in politics, focused as it was on exciting topics that stimulated great interest and scholarship in the pupils.’
You can find the essay from Charlie: here
Andrew R. Wines, Assistant Head – Scholarship, Christ’s Hospital congratulated Ifeoluwakiishi Bayo-Awonaike, saying:
‘Christ’s Hospital congratulates Ifeoluwakiishi for jointly winning the ‘Best use of evidence’ award in the FT-APG A Level Essay Competition. Ifeoluwakiishi demonstrated personal initiative in entering the competition, and her independent research exemplified the highest standards of scholarship. Her dedication to learning for its own sake enabled her to tackle a political topic highly relevant to current US affairs. The school is grateful to the organisers of the FT-APG A Level Essay Competition for encouraging students to embrace academic rigour and integrity.’
You can find the essay from Ifeoluwakiishi: here
Commending Zac Woodcock, Mrs Jo-Anne Riley, Second Master, Brighton College, said:
‘We are delighted that Zac’s essay has been recognised for its excellent use of evidence in this exciting new competition run by the Financial Times and the American Politics Group. In an era when “fake news” and disinformation are on the rise, particularly in the online environment, the skills of careful research and awareness of provenance are paramount in helping young people successfully navigate the fast-moving world of politics.’
You can find the essay from Zac: here
Jessica Durham, Head of Year 12 and Teacher of History at St Mary’s Catholic School applauded Caitlin Arthur, saying:
‘Congratulations Caitlin on your fantastic achievement. The award is testament to your hard work, determination and commitment to your studies and wider interests. The thought provoking analysis on whether Donald Trump is a political anomaly, or more a reflection of a broader strand of thought was fantastic and thoroughly deserving of the award. Keep up the fantastic work!’