--- title: "Devizes student shortlisted for award in prestigious essay writing competition" url: "https://devizesschool.co.uk/news/2025-10-14-devizes-student-shortlisted-for-award-in-prestigious-essay-writing-competition" school: "Devizes School" --- ⚠️Due to a global Microsoft outage affecting organisations worldwide, School email is unavailable. Please call us directly. Thank you for your understanding. # Devizes student shortlisted for award in prestigious essay writing competition 14 October 2025 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.” ![](https://devizesschool.co.uk/images/news/Libby_at_Devizes_2.jpg) ![](https://devizesschool.co.uk/images/news/Libby_at_Devizes_1.jpg) ![](https://devizesschool.co.uk/images/news/Libby_with_her_mother_at_awards_ceremony.jpg) [ Next Steps Fair inspires Melksham & Devizes Students](https://devizesschool.co.uk/news/2025-08-05-next-steps-fair-inspires-melksham-devizes-students) [Consultation on Admissions Arrangements Notice December 2025 ](https://devizesschool.co.uk/news/2025-12-04-consultation-on-admissions-arrangements-notice-december-2025-1) ### School News - [Latest News](https://devizesschool.co.uk/news) - [Newsletters](https://devizesschool.co.uk/newsletters) ![Devizes School](https://files.schudio.com/devizes-school/images/logo/Lion.png) **Devizes School** The Green Devizes Wiltshire SN10 3AG Tel: 01380 724886 ### Useful Links - [Privacy Policy](https://thewhitehorsefederation.org.uk/privacy-policy) - [Cookies](https://thewhitehorsefederation.org.uk/cookies) - [GDPR](https://thewhitehorsefederation.org.uk/about-our-trust/gdpr) - [Modern Slavery Statement](https://thewhitehorsefederation.org.uk/modern-slavery-statement) - [Equality Act](https://files.schudio.com/the-white-horse-federation/files/documents/policies/08_SP_V1_Equality,_Diversity_and_Inclusion_Policy_2026.pdf) ### Useful Links - [Behaviour Policy](https://files.schudio.com/the-white-horse-federation/files/documents/04_SP_V9_Behaviour_Policy_2026(1).pdf) - [Vacancies](https://devizesschool.co.uk/about-us/Vacancies) - [Curriculum ](https://devizesschool.co.uk/learning-education/curriculum/overview) - [Facilities for Hire](https://schoolhire.co.uk/devizes/devizes) - [Parent Pay](https://devizesschool.co.uk/parents-students/parentpay) - [Contact Us](https://devizesschool.co.uk/contact) Proud to be a part of [**The White Horse Federation**](https://thewhitehorsefederation.org.uk/) [![](https://devizesschool.co.uk/images/logo/TWHF.png)](https://thewhitehorsefederation.org.uk/) Registered in England: Company Number: **08075785** Registered Office: Plymouth St, Swindon SN1 2LB © Copyright 2023–2026 Devizes School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://devizesschool.co.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)