Yarm Sixth Form Student Makes Shortlist In The John Locke Essay Competition 2020

One of our Upper Sixth Form students, Atticus Garlick, has been shortlisted in the John Locke Essay Competition 2020.

The John Locke Essay Competition invites students from across the world to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions across seven subjects: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. This year, the competition received almost 3,000 entries. Atticus submitted a philosophical essay answering the question ‘Is intuition to philosophy as observation is to science?’

All entries were assessed by university experts from Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Harvard and Chicago, who took into consideration independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style.

Atticus is hoping to study maths and philosophy at the University of Oxford and decided to enter the competition because he found the topic interesting and enjoyed the challenge.

He said: “I am so pleased to have been shortlisted in the essay competition. I really enjoyed challenging myself by researching a subject I am passionate about and trying to produce something novel and meaningful based on my own ideas. To have been noticed out of so many applicants is a great feeling. I am looking forward to finding out the judges final decision. Whether or not my essay is awarded a prize, the whole process has helped me reinforce my ambition to study philosophy at university.”

Dr Huw Williams, Headmaster at Yarm School, said: “Atticus should be very proud to be shortlisted for the prestigious John Locke Essay Competition, and having read his essay, I can certainly see why he was!

“As a school, we encourage our pupils to explore their subjects deeply and to showcase their talents in many different ways, including entering competitions which challenge them beyond the syllabus and really add to their skills and ambitions. Well done to Atticus for being recognised for his essay which, in such a highly regarded competition, is an incredible achievement.”