Spivey Prize Essay is Back!

This term, one of Caterham’s most feared and respected opportunities for academic enrichment was held following a Covid hiatus. The Spivey Prize Essay invited any willing members of the Sixth Form to subject themselves to an unseen 90-minute general essay, the title taken from the classical corpus.

Almost 40 pupils elected to enter and were presented with a blank Word document and the choice of three questions:

• “Poverty produces revolution and crime.” (Aristotle)
• “All art is the imitation of nature.” (Seneca)
• “Those who are enslaved to their mindsets are not merely devoid of all sound knowledge, but they will not even stop to learn.” (Galen)

Of the essays, which approached the questions from a remarkable variety of angles, eight were shortlisted for final adjudication by senior staff. In a very close-run race, Finn O became the first Lower VI pupil ever to win the day with his excellent piece.  Well done to Finn and to all the intrepid scholars who chose to enter.

Click here to read Finn’s winning essay

Spivey will return …

Mathew Owen

Senior Enrichment Tutor