Devizes School student Libby was recently shortlisted for an award in the prestigious John Locke Institute’s Global Essay Prize competition. 

The John Locke Institute’s Global Essay Prize is an international essay competition for students which encourages them to explore challenging and interesting questions beyond the school curriculum. There were over 63,000 entries this year.

All essay prizes are judged by a panel of senior academics from leading universities including Oxford and Princeton. Judges choose their favourite essay from seven subjects: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law.

A grand prize is awarded for the best entry in any subject and prizes include scholarships towards attending any John Locke Institute programme.

Libby wrote an essay for the law category, choosing to respond to this question: ‘"Use every man after his desert, and who should 'scape whipping" Should the law treat offenders better than they deserve?’ 

Libby was gifted a £500 voucher towards a further study course at Oxford University.

Libby said: “I was inspired to write my essay after a lesson on crime and deviance in one of my sociology lessons. The topic moved me and I undertook more research. 
“The quote from Hamlet [in the essay title] resonated with me as it made the interconnection between sociology and English literature as subjects feel more cohesive.
“The inspiration came from my desire to gain a better understanding of the treatment of prisoners, both in the UK and the wider world, seeking a better perspective on standards of care and rehabilitation.”

Libby enjoyed attending the awards ceremony and dinner in London this October. Two law firms, Awdry Law and Wansbroughs, both sponsored Libby, covering the costs of her travel to the awards ceremony on 4 October.

David Cooper, Executive Headteacher at Devizes School, part of The White Horse Federation, said:

“Huge congratulations to Libby on her nomination. This is a significant achievement and it is brilliant to see all her hard work being acknowledged.”