Christ’s Hospital Student Wins Politics Essay Prize

Christ’s Hospital student Kishii (DG, Year 12) has been jointly awarded a prize for Best Use of Evidence in the prestigious FT-APG A Level Essay Competition.

The competition, run by the Financial Times and the American Politics Group (APG), celebrates outstanding academic writing and critical thinking in politics and current affairs. Kishii’s essay impressed the judging panel with its depth of analysis, balance and thoughtful use of sources.

In their feedback, the competition committee praised the essay for placing “the current administration and president into the wider historical context”, drawing effectively on previous presidents and political movements to identify similarities and patterns. Judges also highlighted the essay’s “critical” and “well balanced and nuanced” approach, as well as its “good engagement with sources both academic and contextual.”

The committee added: “This is fantastic to see and we have no doubt that you will go on to great things. Indeed, we hope that some of us may come across you in our own teaching if you choose to go to university.”

As part of the award, Kishii received a £50 book voucher, a copy of Developments in American Politics 10, and recognition in the American Politics Group and Political Studies Association newsletters, as well as the Financial Times Schools Digest. There is also the opportunity for the essay to be published online.

This is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful recognition of Kishii’s academic talent, intellectual curiosity and analytical skill.