We’re proud to announce that three of our Year 13 Economics students have been shortlisted for the prestigious John Locke Institute Essay Competition 2020 – competing against 2,740 entries from 80 countries. Robert Hicks and Haydn Balkwill submitted essays on ‘What is the socially efficient level of crime?’, and Tom Morris tackled the question ‘Does unilateral free trade serve a nation's economic interests?’.

The competition judges are all senior academics from the University of Oxford, who will choose their favourite essay from each subject category and an overall 'best essay' across seven subjects: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology and Law.

The John Locke Institute 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”. The Institute states:

“Our Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum. Entering an essay in our competition can build knowledge, and refine skills of argumentation. It also gives students the chance to have their work assessed by experts.”

Robert Hicks has also just been awarded an A* for the essay he submitted to the Discover Bath Fast Track Economics Insight Programme. The intensive five-week virtual programme aims to give prospective students in Year 12 a taste of first-year life and study at the University of Bath, together with the opportunity to gain an alternative offer. As a result of taking part and his excellent grade, Robert now has received a lower offer from the University, which applies to any University of Bath Economics degree he submits an application for. Well done all!

John Locke Institute Essay Competition 2020

University of Bath Fast Track Programme