KING’S Ely has become one of the first schools in the UK to be awarded the Grayling Prize for excellence in the Humanities.

Named after Professor AC Grayling, Master of the New College of the Humanities (NCH), the Grayling Prize is awarded annually to a sixth form college or school to recognise its ongoing commitment to the teaching of the Humanities and to widening participation. The school is then entitled to present the prize to a Sixth Form student for a piece of outstanding extended writing in the Humanities.

After considering the nominations from King’s Ely Sixth Form’s Heads of Department, the Grayling Prize was awarded to Head of School Florence Wynn (18). As part of the prize, Florence received a £50 book token and has been invited to spend a day at the New College to participate in a seminar with Professor Grayling as well as experiencing lectures from other members of the NCH academic staff.

Professor Grayling has visited Ely on a number of occasions, speaking to the Sixth Form Philosophy Society as well as members of the local community. Historian and broadcaster Dr Suzannah Lipscomb, who also lectures at New College, visited the school last term.

King’s Ely is among the first schools to be awarded the Grayling Prize, which reflects the excellent impression left with Dr Lipscomb after her visit, the NCH reports.

Director of Sixth Form at King’s Ely, Gill Smith said: “Flo is very much looking forward to going down to the New College to participate in a seminar with Grayling. After taking a gap year to teach English in France, she may look to apply to the New College for entry in 2013.”

Head of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone added: “I am really pleased that the school has been involved with such a rewarding initiative from the start. I hope that our relationship with the New College with develop and grow over the coming years.”

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