Wednesday 22 August 2012 Two sixth form historians at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) have scooped top prizes in a national essay competition, following in the footsteps of a former student. Chessy Whalen and Callum Kenny won the first and runner up prizes in the Women’s History Network 2012 Carol Adams Prize, building on GSAL’s good record in the competition – alumnus Will Lord won a prize in the preceding competition. Aimed at students studying for their AS/A2 levels or equivalent, the competition invites students to submit essays of 1,000 words on any aspect of women’s history. Chessy and Callum chose to write their essays on a topic that was pivotal to their A level preparation – US civil rights from 1865 to 1992. Chessy achieved three A*s and two As in her A levels and will be reading history at Balliol College, Oxford, next year. She said, “Although we only found out about the competition two weeks before our A level exams, we decided to go for it and it paid off. By choosing a topic complementary to our syllabus, researching and writing the essay proved a great way to revise.” History teacher Leanne Sutheran encouraged the pair to enter the competition. She said “Chessy and Callum have done incredibly well to win this national award. Their excellent pieces on the women’s rights movement in America show what skilled historians and original thinkers they are. I’m very proud to see that their enthusiasm for the A2 subject and considerable analysis skills have been recognised.” Callum adds, “I’d like to say a big thank you to Miss Sutheran – her passion for women’s history has been inspirational throughout our course.” Callum achieved two A*s and an A and will be studying English literature at Durham University. The Women’s History Network is a national association with the aim of promoting women’s history and encouraging women and men interested in women’s history. The Carol Adams Prize is awarded by the network in memory of Carol Adams, the first Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council, who helped pioneer women’s history in schools. The award is a £100 prize, with £50 for the runner up, for the best essay on women’s history. General Senior School Sixth Form News
