Pupil Perspectives

The New College of the Humanities, founded by the eminent Professor AC Grayling, aims ‘to foster the talents and capacities of individual minds, empowering them ‘to see things steadily and see them whole’, and to think with acuity and intelligence’. Each year the College runs essay competitions in a series of different categories and in 2021 two Canfordians were selected as finalists from over 6,000 entries from Sixth Formers across the globe. Jake McMillan’s submission for the Law category, entitled “When, if ever, should one be criminally liable for infecting another person with a disease?” discussed the very current complex area of law surrounding criminal liability for infecting a person with a disease and the difficulty of proving causation. 

The New College of the Humanities, founded by the eminent Professor AC Grayling, aims ‘to foster the talents and capacities of individual minds, empowering them ‘to see things steadily and see them whole’, and to think with acuity and intelligence’.  Each year the College runs essay competitions in a series of different categories and in 2021 two Canfordians were selected as finalists from over 6,000 entries from Sixth Formers across the globe. Harry Young’s essay for the Politics category entitled “Is democracy experiencing a setback worldwide?” drew praise from the judges with a finalist award. The latest Democracy Index recorded by the Economist Intelligence Unit was the lowest global democracy score of 5.44/10 since the index began in 2006 and in his submission Harry explained why democracy is experiencing this setback from two fronts: the spread of authoritarianism and the failure of established democracies to lead by example and counter this threat.

Harry received medals and certificates for his effort and NCH hopes to run an in-person event in London in the Autumn to give the finalists the chance to meet the judging panel.

Harry has already won a Highly Commended award from Minds Underground in May for his essay “Is austerity ever necessary?” and has submitted a second Economics essay this time for the prestigious John Locke Institute Global Essay Competition, which encourages “young people to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style.”  Harry’s essay, entitled “Should we abolish the minimum wage?”  discussed the impact of abolishing the NMW, analysed within the context of three closely-linked macroeconomic objectives crucial to labour market regulation: reducing unemployment; alleviating poverty and exploitation of workers; and reducing income inequality.  He will hear the outcome of his entry in the coming weeks.

We are delighted to announce that one of our current Lower Sixth pupils, Alice Hazell, was recently Commended for her essay entry in the Newnham Archaeology Essay Prize. You can read her essay here:

Welcome to the third edition of Hispanista, the pupil's termly magazine that brings you a step closer to the culture and language of the vast Spanish speaking world.